Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1934 - Aug 1935)

8 INDEPENDENT EXHIBITORS TILM BULLETIN FOX -20th CENTURY COMBINE MAY BE FIRST OF SEVERAL Fox-20th Century Merger Others Rumored . . . Rumors that important things are brewing in the motion picture industry, along the lines of major film producer mergers, took on crystallized form this week with the announcement that Fox Film Corp. and 20th Century Pictures, Inc., would combine their interests. While the details had been closely guarded, the inevitable leak had informed insiders several days before the announcement that the deal was being prepared. These same sources have advised us that there is a likelihood of additional mergers, reducing the major film companies from eight to five or six. Fox-20th Century Setup . . . Under the terms of the deal between Fox and the Joe Schenck-Darryl Zanuck organization, Schenck becomes chairman of the Fox board; Sidney Kent remains as president; Zanuck becomes vice-president. 20th Century will avail itself of the enormous Fox Movietone City production facilities, their distribution offices and theatres. Under the deal with United Artists, 20th Century had only the advantage of a distribution outlet. The statement issued by both Kent and Schenck stated that the combined companies would release between fifty-five and sixty pictures yearly. This is a few less than the anticipated products of the separate organizations. Reasons . . . The industry is wondering what the reasons for 20th Century's split with United Artists. Schenck is president of the latter organization. It is not unlikely that the United Artists organization will be disbanded at the end of this season. Among the factors motivating the deal is seen 20th Century's desire to own theatres as a means of forcing the sale of their product. Except for a few key spots in large cities, used principally as show-windows for their pictures, this company has not been active in the theatre field. The large profits earned from the organization's inception seemed to bear out the contention of in;iny people that producer-owned theatres are more a liability than an asset. Nevertheless, Schenck's interest in theatre holdings was indicated recently in his efforts to acuirc the Fox Metropolitan chain in New York C.ity. The competition between Fox and the U. A. head might have precipitated the merger. DON'T GET STUCK Read ELK'S review of Paramount's "Once in a Blue Moon" on the back page. FILM BULLETIN warned its readers several weeks ago that this picture had been shelved by Paramount because it is so poor, but they have now dusted it off and are delivering it because they are short of product. THE EDITOR'S DIARY At the Allied Convention MO WAX TUESDAY . . . Up at the unearthly hour of 8 A. M. just to follow Dave Milgram and Oscar Neufeld around Bobby Jones' golf course for nine holes. They were in the tournament. Famous Bobby was there to greet the participants and autograph a few golf balls. Ray Schwartz, Charlie Goldfine and Ben Green made up the balance of the "gallery" watching Dave and Oscar. Oscar won by one stroke and Dave alibied that the gallery made him nervous. Back to the hotel and into a huddle with Sid Samuelson, Allied president, who tells me exactly what the organization intends to do about the M-G-M-Chicago situation, if Metro should really go ahead and build. Not for publication. At 2 P. M. the first general session. About 200 people crowded into the meeting room. Business covered elsewhere in this issue. Meeting ended about 6. A hurried shave and dinner, then out to the Peachtree Country Club for a barn dance. The Philadelphia boys act so deucedly bashful, the charming girls give them up as hopeless. Back to the hotel Coffee Shoppe for a 3 A. M. breakfast with a squiffy stranger in our midst. He had "adopted" the enormous Mr. Goldfine as his "kid brother." To. bed just ahead of the dawn. WEDNESDAY . . . Up, not so bright nor early. A quiet morning, given over to impromptu lobby discussions of convention business. A few words with Abram Myers about the Pettengill anti-block booking bill. He believes it will come up at this session of Congress — if they clear up more important legislation pending. Allied's general counsel impresses one as a brilliant thinker. Listened in on a confab between Fred Herrington, of the Pittsburg indies, and Harry Fried, Morris Wax, Dave Barrist and Oscar Neufeld, concerning the Warner opposition in Pennsylvania. Some state-wide plan against unfair clearance and film-hogging by the circuit may result. 2 P. M. and the second general session, lasting until 5.30. After dinner, down to Big Bethel Negro Church, where an excellent choir presented a spiritual play with song. Then, by request, they enthralled the audience with some of the best-sung Negro spirituals ever heard. "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," was never delivered quite like that before. Everyone worn out by strenuous applause. Back to the hotel to listen in on special committee meetings. Stunned by the grievance tales of Southern exhibs. They are being deliberately driven out of business by the majors and their affiliated theatres. Committee chairman Aaron Saperstein says Chicago has its rackets, but nothing to compare to the film companies' actions in the South. Why can't I get to bed early! THURSDAY . . . Harry Fried had to shake me up in time to make the trip to the Cyclorama. And it was well worth the loss of additional sleep. An immense circular room with a raised platform in the center. The walls and ground below depict the Battle of Atlanta (Civil War) employing a clever combination of paint and wax figures and objects to achieve an illusion of depth that is amazing. You look up a road that extends, actually, only a few yards, but seems to stretch out into the distance for miles. If Atlanta ever gets in your way, don't miss this treat. Then, a barbecue in the open air behind the Cyclorama. Columbus Stamper said he wasn't hungry, then proceeded to out-eat everyone present. Some of the men kidded themselves into believing that the pork was lamb. Oi, Oi! Another conversation, both our mouths full, with Abram Myers. He would like me to send him 15 additional copies of the May 15th FILM BULLETIN. He has received requests for that issue from many organizations interested in eliminating block booking. Filled to the gills, everyone rushed back to the hotel for the final session. Main side attraction: Governor 'Gene Talmadge. His Excellency presented Samuelson and Myers with pairs of red suspenders, inducting them into the Royal and Mystic Order of the Red Galluses. Down to the Peachtree Station with Dave Barrist, Harry. Fried and Columbus Stamper. Aboard. Meeting Herman Blum, Baltimore's Allied leader and National Treasurer. Spent the evening in the smoker with M. P. Herald editor, Terry Ramsaye, and Dave Barrist, shmoosing about everything in general and nothing in particular. Off to a restless berth and one hour's sleep in eight. SOME PHILADELPHIA BOYS Columbus Stamper, Charlie Goldfine, Ben Green, Dave Milgram, Ray Schwartz Down in Atlanta