Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1935 - Aug 1936)

4 FILM BULLETIN, INDEPENDENT EXHIBITORS1 INDEPENDENT EXHIBITORS FILM BULLETIN Vol. 2 No. 11 Nov. 13, 1935 Issued weekly by Film Bulletin Company, at 1313 Vine Street, Phila., Pa. Mo Wax, editor and publisher; Roland Barton, George F. Nonamaker, associate editors. Telephone: RITtenhouse 4816. Address all communications to Editor, Film Bulletin Merritt Crawford, Publisher's Representative 1658 Broadway, New York City Room 486 — Circle 7-3094 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. RKO Gets New Prexy Reorganization Soon Spitz . . . With the appointment of Leo Spitz as president of RKO, to replace M. H. Aylesworth, the activity of Atlas Corp. and Lehman Bros., banking interests who recently purchased one half of RCA's stock in the company, becomes apparent and assumes an aggressive aspect. Spitz, a veteran film and threatre lawyer, has announced that he contemplates no immediate changes in the personnel of RKO, but it is believed that his selection for the presidency is the first step in the direction of what may amount to a sweeping reorganization. The film company still operates under the supervision of the receivership court and a complete plan of reorganization will have to be submitted to and accepted by the court before any radical changes are permissible in the RKO setup. Such a plan is being prepared now, it is understood, and will be presented within the next three months. RCA Out . . . The Floyd Odium (Atlas)-John Hertz (Lehman) group holds an option to take over the balance of RCA's holdings in RKO, which must be exercised within two years. With the complete removal of RCA from the picture, numerous and far-reaching changes are expected ro take place in the RKO manner of operation and the manpower. Theatre Games On Up In Phila. -New York Spurt . . . Tha past few weeks have witnessed an almost sensational ?purt in the use of theatre chance games in eastern cities. Lack of worthwhile film product, the introduction of several new games, and the natural contagion which results from even a slight spread of these boxoffice stimulants have led to a great increase in the number of houses employing the games. In Philadelphia, it is estimated that approximately 50 theatres took on games within the past two weeks. Where one house in a competitive neighborhood signs for the game, there is a rush of the other to get on the bandwagon ■ — to hold their own, at least. "Lucky," claiming almost 100 accounts, is probably the mor:t widely used game in this territory. Introduction of a new movie horse race device, "Broadway Handicap," brought another 17 houses into the game field this week. "Bank Night," while not being used by many houses in Philadelphia at present, is beginning to attract more attention and has added several theatres to its list recently. "Screeno," lacking representation here, is being used by only a few houses. New York . . . In New York, the spread of the games was precipitated by their introduction into more than 30 Loew hou-es. All are using either Bank Night or Screeno and reports from the circuit indicate that they are proving successful. Loew's started to use games in a few of their theatres last :ummer, but discontinued them when ths pclice interfered. Acquittal in the cases heard prompted the chain to resume them several weeks ago. Columbia Signs Von Sternberg Reported success of Josef von Sternberg, former Paramount megger, with "Crime and Punishment," his first effort at Columbia, has led the studio to sign the director to a two-year contract. Option On Universal To Be Taken Up Soon Three Months . . . The option held by Standard Capital Co. to purchase Universal Pictures Corp. for $5,500.000, in addition to the loan of $750,000 extended to the film company two weeks ago, is expected to be exercised within the next few weeks. Thus, the producing-distributing organization, founded and controlled for many years by Carl Laemmle, will pass into the control of the financial hands of J. Cheever Cowdin, head of the Standard group. Rumors that the option, which has three months from the date of the loan to go, had already been taken up were denied last week by Cowdin, who said that no step in this direction would be taken until U's books were examined fully. Wants Laemmle to Remain . . . However, no one connected with the industry has any doubts that Standard will take over the operation of Universal very shortly. Cowdin has announced that he hopes to retain Carl Laemmle, Sr., in an executive capacity with the company, should the option be exercised. He confirmed the general impression that Charles R. Rogers, at present a producer on the Paramount lot, would assume complete charge of the Universal studio, but denied statements that Rogers had already done so or would do so before the option is taken up. When the change takes place it is believed certain that Carl Laemmle, Jr., will be ousted from his post and would probably leave the company altogether.