Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1934 - Aug 1935)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 1935 3 INDEPENDENT EXHIBITORS FILM BULLETIN Vol. 1 No. 39 June 5, 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. William Fox Agiin Defeated in his attempts to get a strangle hold on the entire film production business through his Tri-Ergon sound patents, William Fox is now said to be well on his way back into the industry, and Carl Laemmle's rumorbeset Universal company is indicated as the stepping stone. Whither, U.A.?... With its 20th Century prop pulled out from under, United Artist, at this moment, appears to be tottering. Joe Schenck was the leading active figure in the outfit, with the other officials preoccupied with production exclusively or dividend drawing. From Hollywood, over the names of Mary Pickford, Charlie Chaplin and Sam Goldwyn, came this laconic statement, intended to express an utter lack of concern on the part of U. A. about Schenck's withdrawal: "Mr. Joseph M. Schenck has been negotiating with the United Artists Corporation for several months for the release of his future pictures, but failed to come to satisfactory terms. He has, therefore, apparently made arrangements elsewhere." But, this nonchalance failed to obscure the fact that U. A. hardly will have enough product on which to support its distribution offices, unless new sources of production are discovered. Legal Battle Against Premiums Brewing The premium question in Pennsylvania will soon be tested in the courts, according to a well-founded rumor current in Philadelphia. It is understood that some legal means of outlawing giveaways has been uncovered by parties interested in making the territory non-premium. Funds for the legal fight will be provided by exhibitors and department stores. PA. HOUSE PASSES SUNDAY MOVIE BILL HARRISBURG, June 4. — The House of Representatives voted favorably today on the Melchiorre-Schwartz-Barber Sunday movie bill. The tally was 122-80. The measure provides for a referendum to be held in every community, during the November municipal elections, on the question of opening movie houses at 2 P. M. on Sundays. It now goes to the Senate where a strong fight is expected to be waged by the opponents of the bill. Supreme Court Will Rule On Standard Contract M tiller Case . . . The question if the standard exhibition contract is the result of a conspiracy by the major producers will be decided by the U. S. Supreme Court, it was disclosed on Monday. The nation's top court declared that it will review the case of Fox Film Corp. vs. A. B. Muller, Minnesota exhibitor, in which the theatre owner won the decision handed down by the Minnesota Supreme Court several months ago. Muller had refused, in 1929, to lift or pay for 46 pictures sold him by Fox, contending that the arbitration clause of the contract invalidated it, inasmuch as the same clause appeared in the contracts of ten large producers, indicating a conspiracy to control the film industry in violation of the Sherman Anti-Trust Law. The Minnesota court held the entire contract nullified. Fox's petition to the U. S. Supreme Court argued that the State Court had erred in ruling that the whole contract was illegal because of the one clause. The highest tribunal's final decision will greatly affect the form of future film contracts. It is being awaited eagerly by exhibitors. Pa's. Sunday Movie Fight Continues Indies Opposed . . . Following the personal appearance before the House of the pros and cons on the Pennsylvania Sunday movies issue, the battle settled down to less oratory and more guerilla warfare between the affiliated chains (pro) and the independents (con). The independent exhibs, led by the IEPA, are opposing the Melchiorre-Schwartz-Barber bill for two principal reason. First, many fear that the local option clause is a snare that will throttle the suburban and rural theatres whose communities will vote against open Sundays, while the nearby cities will vote for it and drain the surrounding areas of movie-goers on ( Continued on Next Page ) WATCH /V\E SELL THIS SUCKER AGAIN It may be tougher this time