Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1934 - Aug 1935)

4 INDEPENDENT EXHIBITORS FILM BULLETIN' "According to our information, your company is contemplating entering into a combine with all other film companies and various exhibitors for the promotion of a scheme to control double bills. "We do not know just how far you have gone into this matter, if at all, but feel it our duty to inform you we do not agree with, nor will we become a party to any such collusion as has been proposed to us in this respect. Furthermore, we intend to protect and defend any and all rights and claims we have, or will have, as a result of this proposed action both as to our contracts and the laws of our government." New York Parley Dead . . . In the Big City Harry Brandt, boss of the ITOA,. recently announced a meeting of independent exhibitors, circuits and distributors to lay plans for halting twin bills. Something went awry apparently, for the parley never came off. Several times Brandt announced postponements, until now it appears probable that the delay is not only indefinte, but permanent. The natural assumption is that New York's theatremen are not especially desirous of ridding the city of duals. Clevelanders Wavering . . . Within the next two months the Cleveland exhibitors-distributors agreement prohibiting double features with major films will expire, and there is little chance held out for any extension or any new deal having a similar effect. Cleveland's theatre owners have found that there are too many unforeseen and unavoidable contingencies arising out of commerce restrictions. For instance, when the agreement here was drawn, little consideration was given to the possibility that new houses would open in competition to established houses, with the newcomers free to double feature, while the others were bound to the agreement prohibiting the practice. Screen Ads Taboo The Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America, at their annual directors' confab last Monday, passed a resolution condemning screen advertising and pointing out that "the motion picture theatre is and should be reserved exclusively for entertainment." Mr. Hays ha9 been blind, intentionally, no doubt, to the presence of a flood of ads in feature pictures emanating, in recent months, from the studios of the members of his organization. In several films seen lately, the players have done practically everything to plug certain products, except stand up and tell the audience, "This picture was made to entertain you and to advertise Zilch's headache powders." The more subtle advertisements inserted in feature pictures apparently were concealed cleverly enough to escape the notice of Hays and his eagleeyed lieutenants, but the announcement by several exhibitors groups that they were contracting with regular screen advertising companies to derive revenue from their screens brought a prompt howl of disapproval from the producers. Here, here, they cried, you fellows can't run advertising reels to replace our short subjects and deprive us of some revenue. Oh, no ! * * ♦ Minn. Goes After Block Booking As the nation's independent theatre owners are girding themselves for a struggle to force passage of the Pettengill bill outlawing block booking, the exhibitors of Minnesota, led by Northwest Allied, backed an anti-b. b. measure in the state house. With the bill through the lower branch of the legislature, it looks certain to speed through the senate and then to a receptive governor. The bill would give to the exhibitors of Minnesota the right to purchase, individually, only those films they desire. EDITORIAL (Continued from Front Page) Every independent MUST join Allied. To stand idly by or to fall into the MPTOA traps set by the producers is a foolish way to commit economic suicide. Better than that, merely turn over your theatre to the mortgage holders. Allied promises you no millennium; it simply offers you a Voice, a powerful, respected Voice in the motion picture industry's affairs. With YOUR support and the strength of the other independent exhibitors in this country, it will correct abuses, it will force fair play down the reluctant throats of the majors, it will eliminate this system that makes you the industry's weakling, a grovelling flunkey on your knees before the 8 mighty majors. JOIN ALLIED, SO YOU CAN STAND ON YOUR FEET! BEN GOLDER RESIGNS IEPA PRESIDENCY, MAY AID GOVERNMENT IN ANTI-TRUST FILM ACTIONS Benjamin M. Golder tendered his resignation as president of the Independent Exhibitors' Protective Association on Monday, citing, as one of the factors making his action advisable, the possibility that he may assist the Federal Government in its litigation against anti-trust law violations by the film companies in various parts of the country. The prominent attorney and former member of the U. S. House of Representatives, was elected to the post shortly after the organization was formed about one year ago. Golder stated three reasons for his decision to withdraw from active connection with the IEPA. The text of his letter of resignation, addressed to Morris Wax, Chairman of the Board of Governors, follows: "I am enclosing herewith my resignation as President of the Independent Exhibitors' Protective Association, and am doing so for the following reasons : "First : You are now a member of the splendid Allied States Association, whose efforts on behalf of independent exhibitors I heartily commend and approve. "Second : To secure for your organization all the rights and privileges to which it is entitled requires more time than I can give from my practice. You and several other men have been carrying the greatest burden of the work and you should do so in name as well as in effort. "Third: On Monday, I have an appointment with the Deputy Attorney General of the United States to discuss various phases of the litigation pending in this district and in other districts, and J do not wish to discuss these problems as President of the Independent Exhibitors' Protective Association, but from the viewpoint of the industry as well as the independent exhibitor. "My interest in the independent exhibitor will not abate in the least, nor will my interest in the IEPA diminish in any wise. I simply cannot give the organization the time that it requires of its president. "With this resignation goes my very best wishes for the success of the organization and its individual members. "Sincerely yours, "BEN GOLDER." In Washington, it has been intimated for some time that Mr. Golder will be active in the Department of Justice's investigation of various objectionable practices in the industry. He felt, upon receiving the call for an interview with Department heads, that he should be free of any ties with an organization representing one branch of the business. WASHINGTON.— It was learned here Monday that Ben Golder, prominent Philadelphia attorney and exhibitor leader, conferred with Russell Hardy, Deputy Attorney General in charge of the St. Louis anti-trust proceedings against three major producers. The discussion is believed to have concerned the double feature actions in Philadelphia, Chicago and Cleveland, as well as the trials of the film executives in St. Louis.