Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1935 - Aug 1936)

6 INDEPENDENT EXHIBITORS FILM BULLETIN Pizor Threatens Split In New Exhibitor Body A move to disrupt the new-found independent exhibitor unity in the Philadelphia territory loomed this week as Lewen Pizor, president of the M. P. T. O unit, which merged with the I. E. P. A. last week, issued a statement to the effect that he will personally maintain the old organization headed by him and will keep its name. While Pizor stands practically alone in his efforts to keep the exhibitor groups split, he may succeed in blocking, temporarily, at least, the consolidated organization's use of the name Independent Motion Picture Theatre Owners. Leaders of the new body are hopeful that the M. P. T. O. leader will change his attitude and lend his services to the merged group. A new name is being considered, however, in case Pizor persists in his announced intention. Several suggestions have already been made, with Independent Theatre Owners finding most favor. Joins Chesterfield; Rogers Republic Sales Chief Eddie Golden, who resigned his post as general sales manager of Republic Pictures last Saturday, assumed the same position with Chesterfield Pictures on Monday. Meanwhile, Budd Rogers, who had been Golden's assistant, was appointed to fill the latter's position as head of Republic sales. Golden, one of the most popular sales executives in the industry, had been with Republic and its predecessor, Monogram, for three years. His resignation, coming as a complete surprise, followed by a few days the news that Trem Carr had disposed of his interest in Republic to Herbert J. Yates. Rogers, formerly sales manager for Liberty Pictures prior to its consolidation with Republic, has a reputation for being an aggressive sales leader. He held important sales positions with several major film companies. INDEPENDENT MOTION PICTURE THEATRE OWNERS of EASTERN PA., S. N. J. and DEL OFFICERS President, Charles Segall First Vice-President, Harry Fried Second Vice-President, Ray O'Rourke Treasurer, David Milgram Secretary, George P. Aarons BOARD OF GOVERNORS Chairman, Morris Wax Harry Fried Columbus Stamper David Shapiro Abe Sablosky Ray O'Rourke Ed Jeffries Milton Rogasner Leo Posel Herbert Elliott David Barrist Joseph Conway David Milgram Luke Gring Benjamin Fertcl Michael Lessy George Gravenstine Samuel Somerson Raymond Schwartz William Butler Harold D. Cohen Ascap Monopoly Suit Postponed May Be Dropped . . . The prospect of the Government carrying through its announced intention to prosecute the American Society of Composers, Author.-; and Publishers as a monopoly became more remote last week when the scheduled trial was postponed indefinitely. The case was removed from the court calendar by Federal Judg? Goddard Friday, after counsel for Ascap and the Department of Justice had agreed that more time was needed for drawing up a complete stipulation of facts. Exhib Wins $24,000 In Anti-Trust Suit Forced Out . . . PITTSBURGH. — Charging that seven major film companies violated the Sherman anti-trust law and fcrecd him out of bu:iness seven years ago, Samuel Friedman was upheld by a jury in U. S. District Court here last Thursday and awarded #24,000 triple damages, plus counsel fees. The trial, which was in its second week, involved the following distributing companies: Fox, Warner Bros., RKO, Universal, Columbia, Metro and United Articto. Friedman, who operated the Capitol Theatre, Farrc-11, and the Luluna, Sharon, Pa., until 1923, claimed that the film companies all refused to deliver film to the two houses and thereby entered into a conspiracy in violation of the antitrust law. He appealed to the Pittsburgh Film Board of Trade, which turned the matter over fcr arbitration. The decision was against him and he was forced to give up the theatres because of a lack of film, he testified. The defendants are expected to ask fcr a review of the case by the Circuit Court of Appeals. However, there is little doubt left in anyone's mind that the Government is not pushing the case with the zeal to be expected if a decision was really wanted by Washington. The prediction made in the Oetobcr 30th issue of FILM BULLETIN, at the time of the postponement from November 4 to sometime in January, that this case would never reach the courts has gained considerable credence in film circles, substantiated to a large extent by the withdrawal of Warner Eros, frcm the Society. To Our Many Friends In the Motion Picture Industry . . . And Our Best Wishes for a Prosperous 1936 HORLACHER DELIVERY SERVICE