Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1934 - Aug 1935)

2 INDEPENDENT EXHIBITORS FILM BULLETIN INDEPENDENT EXHIBITORS FILM BULLETIN Vol. I No. 30 Apr. 3, 1935 Issued weekly by Film Bulletin Company, at 1313 Vine Street, Phila., Pa. Mo Wax, editor and publisher; Roland Barton, associate editor; Ben B. Cohen, business manager. Telephone: RITtenhouse 4816. Address all communications to Editor, Film Bulletin ADVERTISING RATES Write or call us for our Advertising Rates. Weekly circulation 1000 copies, covering every theatre owner in the Philadelphia and Baltimore-Washington territories. TRIAL OF PRODUCERS IN ST. LOUIS IS POSTPONED ST. LOUIS. — The trial of three major film producing companies and six of their executives, on the charge of conspiracy to violate the Federal anti-trust laws, has been postponed indefinitely, with the shortage of judges given as the reason for the delay. The case has been scheduled for Tuesday, April 2nd. Meanwhile, the court on Monday heard the arguments on Ned Depinet's demurrer to the indictment. Depinet claims that there is not sufficient evidence to indict hm for a crime. Bill Introduced in Md. To Increase Censor Fee ANNAPOLIS, MD.— Senator J. David Baile, Republican, introduced a bill to increase the fee for censoring films from $2 to $3.50 per reel for first prints, and from $1 to $2 for additional prints. The measure was sent to the Finance Committee. Monogram May Become Own Nat'l Distributor NEW YORK.— Since Monogram ended its franchise deals in Philadelphia and New York with First Divison Exchanges, there have been rumors current that the independent producing outfit would establish its own distribution offices in key cities throughout the country. W. Ray Johnston, president of Monogram, left last week for a trip to Atlanta and it was reported that this trip had something to do with the plan. Johnston was due back last Saturday according to original plans, but his trip was prolonged indefintely. A number of prominent independent film people wrere bidding for the Monogram franchises in both Philadelphia and New York, but Monogram has been sitting tight. A definite announcement is expected within the next week or two. VOTE ON PENNA. AMUSEMENT TAX DILL EXPECTED DEFORE WEEK END; GOVERNOR DEMANDS PASSAGE Large Delegation of Exhibitors and Exchangemen Co To Harrisburg Hearing The struggle of Pennsylvania's independent exhibitors to remove the threat of the proposed ten per cent tax on their boxoffices will be definitely decided, one way or the other, before the end of this week, according to present indications. A vote on the measure is expected almost hourly. A delegation of over 150 theatre owners, augmented by exchange employees, left Philadelphia yesterday morning, in a fleet of buses and autos, to attend the public hearing at 2 P. M. before the Senate Finance Committee. The exhibitors made an impressive showing and it is believed that their presence and arguments will influence some of the Senators. The plan for this display originated with the IEPA and was adopted by the Tax Steering Committee, which met last Thursday. Jack Bereson was present at that confab and advised the theatremen. Exhibitors are hopeful, too, in view of the action of the Senate in defeating the gasoline tax last week on practically a straight party vote, 28-17. Governor Speaks to People Governor Earle, in a "fireside" radio talk to the people Sunday evening, appealed to the public to support his program and condemned the "special interests" who oppose it. He charged that there is a campaign of "highly organized propaganda" against his proposed levies. On Monday, the Republicans of the Senate met to lay plans for definite counter proposals to offset the effect of the Governor's speech. It is likely that they will offer a three per cent sales levy on everything except foodstuffs, such as bread, milk and meat, and on drugs and other necessities of life. Exhibitors in Harmony There appears to be harmony on the tax issue in exhibitor ranks at present. The IEPA, which has followed a straight and clearly defined course of opposition to the whole tax, was seriously hampered from the beginning by the counter-work of Lewen Pizor, president of the MPTO of Eastern Pennsylvania. Pizor ignored the efforts of the independents of both Eastern and Western Pennsylvania and sought to personally effect a compromise deal with the administration. The IEPA informed the Governor that Pizor does not represent the views of the state's independent theatre owners and that they would not abide by any compromise made by him. At Thursday's Steering Committee confab, it is reported that Pizor no longer insisted upon following his own plans and agreed to go along with the policies originally suggested by the IEPA and the Allied group from the western part of SHORT SUBJECTS from Philly By BREVITY Last week this collym reported that Cities Theatres took over the Colonial, Palmerton. This was an error — the theatre taken over is the Palm. * * * Lew Berman, former Philly exhibitor, flew fo the coast last Sunday to see about some independent productions he is interested in. He's back in New York now. Berman's outfit is Popular Pictures, which he is hoping they will be. * * * The local Fox branch reorganized the shipping department with the removal of two men who had been with the organization for about 15 years. * * * Charlie Steifel's uncompromising light-heartedness is the envy of dozens of local exhibs. They demand to know how one man can be so carefree! * * * Horlacher's resumed operations in New York on Monday after a five-year layoff due to arrangements with a N. Y. delivery outfit. "Whitey" Molitch has been appointed the office manager. * * * No individual in this industry takes the troubles of the independent theatremen to heart quite so seriously as Jeannette Willensky, the IEPA'S secretary. Every exhibitor's problem brought to her attention is regarded by that estimable young lady as a matter of vital personal import. Chalk one up for true feminine sincerity! * * * PERSONAL IMPRESSIONS: Harry Botkin . . . Jim Farley grown a bit thin. Abe Sablosky . . . The financier. Luke Gring ... A high school teacher I knew. Mrs. Josephine Lucchese . . . Sudden sunshine. (Continued on Page Four) Warners Take Oyer Bromley Warner Bros, have taken over the Bromley Theatre on North Broad Street from Charles Segall. The circuit will assume the new house, which is not completed yet, on April 20th. When Segall started to build the Bromley, Warners saw their North Philly interests threatened, so they rushed through construction of the Grange, 450-seater. Rumors that Segall would then dispose of his house to the chain had been current for some time and the announcement comes as no surprise. the state. Even men in hs own organizaton opposed Pizor's tactics. IEPA Sends Petitions Petitions containing thousands of names of theatre patrons were sent to their Senators by members of the Independent Exhibitors' Protective Association. This, it is felt, will have a great bearing on the votes of some members of the upper house. Among those most active in fighting the tax from the start are Oscar Neufeld, Morris Wax, David Barrist and Harry Fried.