Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1935 - Aug 1936)

INDEPENDENT EXHIBITORS "FILM BULLETIN' INDEPENDENT EXHIBITORS FILM BULLETIN Vol. 2 No. 18 Jan. 1. 1936 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. ford theatres. His acceptance of the Government post kept him occupied in Washington most of the time and, although he did not sever his connections completely with the circuit, he was not active in its management. In Scranton . . . Following the tragic death of M. B. in an automobile accident several weeks ago, and due to the prolonged illness of M. E., it became necessary that someone else take over the reins of the Comerford interests. While Walker has declared that he will return to Washington when his duties with the theatre chain permit, it is believed that nothing less than an appointment to the postmaster generalship, a post for which he has often been mentioned, would tempt him to return to the political scene. Phila.s Erlanger May Try Pictures; Seeking Chaplin Film Erlanger, usually idle leg t house at 21st and Market Streets, Philadelphia, may go movies again soon. S. Nixon-Nirdiinger is flirting with the idea and at present is shooting wires to Charlie Chaplin in the hope of bringing his "Modern Times" to the house for a two-a-day engagement. Regardless of success or failure in securing the Chaplin film, Nirdlinger may try a freak picture policy there for a month or so and may operate only on Saturdays and Sundays if business warrants. The house ran the previous Chaplin release, "City Lights" at roadshow prices and RKO operated it for one season some four or five years ago. It has housed few legitimate shows in the past three years, but is open at present with "Black Pit," little theatre group labor play. PENNA. THEATRES MUST GET NEW STATE PERMITS January 10th is the deadline for all places of amusement in Pennsylvania to apply for their 1956 permits, as provided in the State Amusement Tax law. A penalty will he levied on any theatres which have not filed applications hy that date. Unfair Allocations Attacked By Allied Sell More — Make Less . . . The major film companies' practice of raising the average film rental by making fewer pictures than are sold and charging exhibitors the highest allocations for those that are delivered, is attacked in the current Allied States Association bulletin. Under the heading "Unfair Allocations Again," Abram F. Myers, Allied counsel, has this to say: "There is considerable agitation in exhibitor circles against the prevailing practice among distributors of selling more pictures than they intend to make, allocating all pictures delivered to the higher classifications, and thus increasing the average price per picture far above what the exhibitor thought he was going to pay. This is a species of dishonesty which would not be tolerated in any other industry and would be promptly stamped out if the motion picture industry had the proper leadership. Mr. Hays should be the first to condemn this common form of cheating and demand that, for the honor of the industry, it be stopped. "That, however, cannot be expected. Mr. Hays can at least say, in extenuation, that he is the mere employee — not the boss — of the distributors. But what of certain so-called exhibitor leaders who wring their hands and moan about this practice while professing opposition to the Pettengill Bill? Under that bill any exhibitor who wants to commit commercial suicide by continuing to do business in this way may do so, but the distributors cannot compel him to buy pictures in that way. It is time the exhibitors built a fire under all such leaders — or cast them into the discard." 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 Lone Wolf Returns Dec. 31 FOX King of Burlesque Jan. 3 Charlie Chan's Secret Jan. 10 METRO Riff Raff Jan. 3 Three Live Ghosts Jan. 10 Exclusive Story Jan. 17 Tough Guy Jan. 24 PARAMOUNT Collegiate Dec. 27 Bride Comes Home Dec. 27 RKO I Dream Too Much Dec. 27 We're Only Human Dec. 27 Freckles Dec. 27 UNIVERSAL Magnificent Obsession Jan. 6 Invisible Ray Jan. 13 Dangerous Water Jan. 20 WARNER BROS. Miss Pacific Fleet Dec. 27 Dangerous Jan. 8 Neufeld With Horlacher Oscar Neufeld. veteran Philadelphia film man, who was recently associated with the Variety Club and First Division, joined Horlacher Delivery Service last week, as special assistant to President James P. Clark. This One May Prove To Be A Tough Baby