Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1935 - Aug 1936)

INDEPENDENT EXHIBITORS FILM BULLETIN' J EVENTS on the MARCH/ "Reporting the Industry's News from An Editorial Viewpoint" GOVT DETERMINED TO PROSECUTE MAJORS IN ST. L Dep't of Justice Provoked By Delays St. Louis Trial derious . . . Indicating the seriousness with which it regards the anti-trust case against three major film companies in St. Louis, the Department of Justice has asserted that it will demand the transfer of the case to a special court if another postponement should be granted the defendants. The trial is now scheduled to start on September 30th. In Washington, officials of the Department are not reluctant to state that they consider this one of the most vital anti-trust actions in many years. The persistency of the Attorney General's actions in this case, they say, can be attr.buted to the prevalent conviction in Government circles that the big film companies have been getting away with illegal acts for some time. In view of the aggressive attitude of the Government, it is unlikely that counsel for RKO, Paramount and Warner Bros, will seek any further delays and the trial is virtually certain to get under way next Monday. Indie Theatre Chain Developing In Phila. On New York Plan . . . It has been learned that considerable progress has been made by the small, but substantial, group of Philadelphia independent theatre owners who are sponsoring formation of an indie theatre circuit on a plan similar to that of the recently organized Independent Theatre Circuit, Inc., of New York. Several preliminary meetings have been held, it is understood, and a tentative list of eligible theatres drawn up. WILL NOT JOIN HAYS ORGANIZATION HARRY THOMAS President of First Division, denies that his company is contemplating joining the MPPDA. Hays' organization. "We haven't even thought about it," Thomas said. Story appeared in Variety last week. W. RAY JOHNSTON President of Republic Pictures, answers the published rumor that his outfit would step into the Hays' ranks, saying, "As Monogram or Republic, we haven't discussed it for over three years. Not a chance." From information gathered by FILM BULLETIN it appears that while the sponsors will restrict the number and type of theatres to be included in the circuit, the basis of eligibility will not depend on the size, but on the reputation and tenure of the exhibitor in the business. Desire seems to be to eliminate newcomers and those who are known as chronic chiselers. To Buy and Protect . . . Chief purposes of the chain would be to give the independent members film buying strength and a maximum of protection against new and unwarranted competition in the form of reopened garages, etc. It is aimed also, of course, at regaining for the indies some of the clearance and product advantages taken from them by the Warner Bros, circuit. Leaders of the movement are convinced that certain of the majors, particularly Universal, Columbia and RKO would welcome a buying group to afford them an opportunity to declare independence of Warners, who have complete control of the situation in this territory and largely command their own film terms. B. O. Stimulants Not On The Wane Up, If Anything . . . Although there may be a slight shifting in the box-office stimulant field from dish give-aways to lotto games, there is no noticeable decrease in the volume of business boosters being used in eastern theatres. If anything, the practice of bolstering the weaker nights' business by offering something in addition to the picture seems to be on the up. Many exhibitors who had formerly shied from premiums have tested them in recent months and found that the old bargain spirit still pervades the public. (Continued on Follon ing Page) Theatre" For Sale The following significant advertisement appeared in Sunday's Philadelphia Inquirer: "MOVING Picture Theatre building for sale, now a garage. M-6I Inquirer."