Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1935 - Aug 1936)

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1935 5 NEW RELEASES EASTERN PA. S. N. J., DEL. Major contracts provide for a ten per cent cancellation privilege for exhibitors. If you desire to cancel a picture, you must notify the exchange by registered mail WITHIN 14 DAYS of the date of general release. Latest releases are listed below. Send in your notice NOW! COLUMBIA Public Menace Sept. 30 FOX Here's to Romance Oct. 9 METRO Broadway Melody of 1936 Sept. 21 PARAMOUNT Wanderer of the Wasteland Sept. 21 RADIO Family Tree Oct. 18 Powdersmoke Range Oct. 11 WARNER'S Goose and Gander Sept. 19 Special Agent Sept. 20 UNIVERSAL King Solomon of Broadway Sept. 20 Storm Over the Andes Sept. 23 UNITED ARTISTS Dark Angel Sept. 21 Everything in Equipment NATIONAL THEATRE SUPPLY CO. 1315 Vine St., Phila. SPR. 6156 "Finest Theatre Painting and Decorating" HARRY BRODSKY 2315 WALNUT STREET, PHILA., PA. RITtenhouse 7828 • TRInity 1189 ERVING theatre needs with a knowledge i of theatre business. SSISTING theatre owners with a staff of trained clerks and office files. No I missouts. iREEING theatre owners of the worry I that they may have forgotten part of their show. IFFICIENTLY operating the largest film I delivery service in the world. IAKING CARE of every possible need in the delivery of film. flELDING the epitome of safety, service and efficiency at a minimum cost. ORLACHED Delivery Service H INC. PHILADELPHIA BALTIMORE 1228 Vine St. 206 N. Bond St. WASHINGTON NEW YORK 1031 Third St., N. W. 518 W. 48th St. M. Lawrence Daily, Notary Public, Phila. H MERRITT CRAWFORD OBSERVING THE MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY This is the third article by Merritt Crawford, veteran trade paper writer, now on the FILM BULLETIN staff. Mr. Crawford, one of the real pioneers of the film industry and former editor and publisher of several outstanding trade journals, will report his observations of the industry scene each week in this publication. For almost a quarter of a century, he has been active in various branches of the business, prior to which he was associated with metropolitan newspapers, and this background should make his comments of particular value to theatre owners and others in the film industry. NEW YORK. GOVERNMENT'S THREAT Considerable consternation was caused in the legal circles representing Warner Bros., Paramount and RKO during the past week, by the unofficial announcement that officials of the Department of Justice were considering a petition for the appointment of a special court to hear the anti-trust case in St. Louis. Ostensibly, the application would be aimed to end the numerous delays which counsel for the defendant companies have obtained although all have professed to be ready for the hearing on the disputed issues which is now set for October 1. On the other hand the appointment of a special court might open up an investigation far wider in its ramifications than is contained in the local criminal indictments obtained against the companies involved and some of their individual officers and affiliates, and it is this possibility, principally, which has been found disturbing, by the eminent legal counsel in the case. DISASTER— It has been reported that Department of Justice officials have been severely critical of the tactics employed in delaying the trial of a case, which is generally regarded, especially by independent theatre owners, as one of the most important anti-trust actions of recent years. How important it is regarded by the Government may be measured by the statement of Assistant Attorney General John Dickinson, in charge of anti-trust cases, who is quoted as saying that "if the Government fails in sustaining the indictments it will be the most tragic disaster that ever occurred to the small man in the motion picture business." In effect an acquittal of the defendants, if it is sustained by the higher courts, would mean that the smaller exhibitor would be compelled to take the product of the big companies at the time and on the terms arbitrarily decreed, or not at all. It would create a monopolistic situation that might compel the little theatre owner to close his house for lack of product if the big distributing combine so decided. This possibility, of course, has been fully recognized by most independent show met;, who have felt, however, that before such a situation could arise Uncle Sam would step into the breach and protect his interests. This, at the present, is his one best bet. Just at this time the big fellows, even if they have a private understanding among themselves, are not prepared to undertake a further merger or concentration of their producing-distt ibuting activities, although they are definitely set for the acquisition of more theatres in key positions. Also they are distinctly jittery about the St. Louis case. EXHIBS MUST PRODUCE— But the independent showman should not take too much satisfaction from all this. His economic situation becomes steadily more perilous. For whal the hie fellows cannot accomplish in one way they may be able to in another. (Continued on Following P<>}n)