Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1935 - Aug 1936)

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1936 3 HOW THE FILM COMPANIES MIGHT AVOID SUITS AND INVESTIGATIONS! Some of the major producers who have been much maligned and distracted by various legal actions, are raising the cry that they are kept so busy dodging summonses and inquisitors, that they have little time left to attend to the production of pictures. And, with straight faces, they seize upon this to alibi the flood of inferior product that has stemmed from their studios during the past six months. Without arguing the worth of this shallow excuse and accepting it on its false-face value, it can be readily understood that it amounts to a plea by the producers to be allowed to go on their merry way, slugging exhibitors with all sorts of inordinate terms and unfair practices, or suffer the consequences in the form of poorer quality pictures. We hope no exhibitors, who, heaven knows, are none too courageous in their dealings with the more powerful majors, are taken in by this pretext and decide that a few grains of tender mercy should be thrown to those unfortunate producer-exhibitors, who conduct their film distribution and theatre chain operations as ruthlessly as the outermost borders of legality will permit. Withdrawal of all legal attacks against them would merely mean the loss of the one strong weapon exhibitors seem to have over the producers. If the offending film companies desire to rid themselves of the annoyance and expense of escaping the toils of the law, they can do so easily enough. Let them cease the practice of inserting in their contracts such onerous conditions as are not based on equity and unquestionable legality, but are conceived to squeeze out every dollar the exhibitor tariff will bear — and then some, without regard for their intrinsic fairness. Let them ask of themselves, honestly and without blind greed; Are we giving our customers a break if we do this? Only a fool or a malicious malefactor might encourage baseless attacks on innocent victims. But, certain of the major film companies are not innocent of really vicious practices and the harder they are hit, the better every sincere, fair-minded industry member should like it. All these law suits and investigations may be the means of convincing some ruthless individuals and their companies that "Live and let live" is a sounder policy than "Never give a sucker a break!" MO WAX. YAMINS AND SAMUELSON ALLIED GAINED AND LOST In Nathan Yamins, Allied chose for its national president one of the most highly regarded theatremen in the country. Reticent, but quietly effective, keen, discerning and the possessor of the deep respect of all who know him well, Mr. Yamins should carry Allied a long way toward its goal of a single, unified, national independent exhibitor body. His election is a distinct gain for the organization. But, Sidney Samuelson was forced to accede to the pressure of his private business affairs and step out of the leadership of Allied, for which he had done so much. Aggressive, practical, immensely sincere, he was an ideal leader, a fighter who sought victory, but was wise enough to bide his time or retreat if it meant ultimate victory for his followers, the independent exhibitors. In Samuelson's decision to take a less active interest in its affairs, Allied suffered greatly. TAKE A BOW, PETE The independent theatre owners of the U. S. owe a profound vote of appreciation to Pete Harrison for his many services on their behalf. But, never has he done them a greater service than by his action in printing and widely distributing the pamphlet containing complete charges to the Jury by Federal Judge George H. Moore in the celebrated St. Louis case. Mr. Harrison properly alludes to the jurist's instructions to the jury as a "Magna Charta for the motion picture industry" and even the accused themselves would do well to read it thoroughly so that they might gain a fuller knowledge of their own rights in the conduct of their businesses and the rights to which their customers and competitors are lawfully entitled.