Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1935 - Aug 1936)

INDEPENDENT EXHIBITORS FILM BULLETIN 3 EVENTS on the MARCH/ f tt WARNER, OTHERS DENY CONSPIRACY IN ST. LOUIS Jury Must Decide On Witnesses' Veracity As St. Louis Defendants Deny All Charges Special to FILM BULLETIN Clash . . . ST. LOUIS. — With the trial of the five major film executives rapidly drawing to a close, following the completion of the first full week of defense testimony, it has become apparent that the fate of Harry M. Warner, Ned E. Depinet, Herman Starr, George J. Schaefer and Gradwell Sears will rest largely with the impressions of their own veracity transferred to the jury. Hardly any substantial documentary evidence was offered by the defense during the past week to refute the charges made by Harry C. Arthur and other Government witnesses that Warner Bros., RKO and Paramount entered into a conspiracy in violation of the anti-trust laws to force Fanchon and Marco out of theatre interests in this city. In the main, the defense merely offered the direct denials of the defendants themselves to the charges made. Jury Must Decide Thus, the jury finds itself confronted with the problem of deciding who is telling the truth. Arthur, Jack Partington, both of F. and M., and Thomas N. Dysart, chairman of the bondholders' committee, told them of various statements made and actions taken by the de Universal To Produce William Powell Picture In reply to an inquiry by FILM BULLETIN asking if his company intended to deliver the William Powell picture, "My Man Godfrey," scheduled for release to 1934-35 contract holders, R. H. Cochrane, vice-president of Universal, wrote the following reply: Dear Mr. Wax: The answer to your letter of October 30th is "yes." Universal plans to produce the William Powell picture, "My Man Godfrey." Most of the delay has been due to casting difficulties, but we have had that sort of trouble throughout our whole career, and we prefer delay rather than to cast improperly. Cordially yours, R. H. COCHRANE. fendants in an effort to obtain control of the three theatres which F. 8C M. had taken over from the bindholders. Now, the defendants take the stand and enter categorical denials of these charges and assert that what they did was done individually and in an effort to save their investment in St. Louis. Difficult . . . At one point in last week's proceedings, when Ha rry Warner was on the stand, Special Government Prosecutor Russell Hardy turned to Federal Judge George H. Moore and asked, "How are we to meet this kind of evidence?" As difficult as it may seem to Mr. Hardy to counteract simple denials, it is certainly more difficult for the jury to make up its mind about the veracity of the witnesses. It does not aid the Government's case any not to be able to produce documentary evidence of the all-important conversations allegedly held at various times between Arthur and other Government witnesses and the defendants. It leaves open in the jury's collective mind a question of doubt — and that may be all the defense needs for acquittal. Universal Borrows illion For Product, Gives Option To Buy $1,000,000 . . . The stringent condition of Universal's finances, which has been largely responsible for the spread of persistent rumors that the company would pass from the control of Carl Laemmle, was somewhat alleviated by the consummation of a $1,000,000 loan from Standard Capital Corp. The deal, it is reported, also involves an option by which Standard may purchase U within three months. Thus far, the only film man known to be connected with the financing group is Charles R. Rogers, formerly a producer with Paramount. Other prominent names in the industry have been associated with Standard, but none have been confirmed. Full Steam Ahead . . . Meanwhile Universal will apply the $1,000,000 to its big production schedule, which includes several of the highest budget pictures it has ever produced. Executives of the company have stated that they will not allow any financial negotiations to interfere with production or the quality of the product. EXTRA! May Take 2 Weeks To Count Phila. Vote FILM BULLETIN was advised Wednesday morning by George Keasey, Superintendent of Philadelphia Elections, that it will require from ten days to two weeks to count and officially certify the vote. Until that time Philadelphia movie houses will not be permitted to open, according to the bill, which provides for certification and official approval by Mayor Moore. There is a slight possibility that theatres may be permitted to open on November 17, but the likelihood is that the first open Sunday in this city will be November 24. SUNDAY MOVIES VOTE IN PENNA. SPLIT In most of Pennsylvania's larger cities, the ancient "blue laws" went crashing to defeat as this state voted on the Sunday movies issue Tuesday. As FILM BULLETIN goes to press, the following results are in: Voted "YES": Philadelphia (344,785 to 130,369), Scranton, Lower Merion Township, WilkesBarre, Chester, Bristol, Langhorne, Pittsburgh. Voted "NO": Narberth, Lancaster, York, Pottstown, Ambler, Shamokin. Allentown, Bethlehem, Conshohocken, Boyertown, Doylestown, Hazleton, Norristown, Soudertown, Quakertown, West Chester, Sunbury, Harrisburg, Royersford.