Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1935 - Aug 1936)

f 1 N DE PEN DENT EXHIBITORS FILM BULLETIN N. Y. License Commissioner Warns Games May Be Unlawful N. Y. INDIES BALK AT BANNING GAMES UNLESS CHAINS FIX PROTECTION, PRICES LOOKS HOPELESS . . . New York. — The meeting of independent and affiliated theatre groups called by License Commissioner Paul Moss, Monday, to seek the voluntary elimination of all theatre chance games, ended in a bat tie of words between independent and chain operators, during which practically every grievance felt on both sides was given an airing. It was clear at the conclusion that nothing will be done to stop the games without interference by legal authorities. Commissioner Moss told the meeting, attended by Loew's, RKO and Skouras, in addition to numerous independent theatremen, that there was every likelihood that the courts would ultimately declare the games in violation of the law and that he is in position to revoke the licenses of any theatres operating lotteries. But, the meeting was called, he said, to urge the theatre owners to agree on some plan for discontinuing the practice without police interference. TELL GRIEVANCES . . . Independent exhibitor leaders declared that they did not feel that they could give up their business stimulators unless the producer-controlled chains adjust their clearance demands and raise their admission prices. Bernard Barr, speaking for the I.T.O.A. termed the excessive protection given chain houses "intolerable" and stated that his group would gladly discontinue games if such abuses were stopped. Charles C. Moskowitz, Loew's theatre chief, took the position that the circuit's competitors had started the practice and his company was forced to follow suit. The confab wound up with Moss advising the disputing groups to write him and suggest how the matter might be ironed out. But it looks hopeless, with the circuits refusing to give an inch on indie complaints against them and the latter maintaining they need games to exist. LENT! The Lenten season starts on Wed nesday Fcbruary 26th, and ends 1 aster Sunday, April 1 2th. NO ACTION ON FILM LEGISLATION LIKELY AT THIS SESSION OF CONGRESS EARLY BREAK . . . Washington, Feb. 11. — With congressional leaders pressing for an early adjournment, so that the two parties can get down to the long, arduous labors attendant upon a presidential election year, it is being taken for granted that the problems of the film industry will receive no attention during the current session. May 1st is being discussed as the date for adjournment and this will allow for consideration of only the most urgent "must" legislation. Principal film bills languishing in committees are the Pettengill-Neely measure to outlaw compulsory block booking and the Duffy copyright revision bill. The block booking bill is one that would require considerable time for discussion, inasmuch as it is certain to be attacked by its opponents as a censorship move, a topic which inevitably leads to protracted harangues from both sides. The Duffy Bill as originally presented, now fails to satisfy its sponsors and there is talk of putting stronger teeth into it. A bill of such comparatively minor national concern is hardly likely to intrude itself into a Congress that is anxious to get out on the soap boxes as soon as possible. Eschmann FD Eastern District Sales Manager Ed Eschmann, veteran film man, has been appointed Eastern District Sales Manager for First Division Exchanges. Formerly with United Artists and First National, Eschmann has recently been with Pathe in New York. Eschmann's appointment is in line with recent FD expansion moves, latest of which is the opening of an office in New Haven. Jeannette Berliner, Philadelphia exchange booker, goes to the New Haven office in the same capacity. Mary Meadowcroft comes liom Universal to handle the booking for the local exchange. EXCHANGES CAN FIX PRICES, BAN DUALS, MINN. COURT RULES SOUGHT INJUNCTION . . . Minneapolis. — After close to four months of consideration, Federal Judge G. H. Nordbye handed down his ruling in the case brought by the Benz Bros, to compel major film exchanges to permit them to exhibit their product at ten cents admission and on dual bills, and sustained the right of the distributors to fix a minimum price of 1 S cents and to bar double featuring of their pictures. The plaintiffs, operating as Shubert Theatres Corp., argued that a conspiracy existed among the distributors to drive them out of business and asked a temporary injunction restraining them from refusing to sell product to their theatres. DENIED . . . In denying the plea, Judge Nordbye ruled that since the houses operated by the Benzcs were in competition to better class houses nearby, the low admission scale would jeopardize the welfare of others. Plaintiffs claimed that the exchanges were selling to other 10 cent spots, but the Court overruled this contention on the grounds that those houses were not in competition to theatres getting higher admissions. Benz Bros, state that they will carry the fight further, seeking a permanent injunction. The case was heard last fall. Cagney Sues Warners Los Angeles. — Asserting that Warner Bros, had violated their contract with him by compelling him to make more than four pictures per year, James Cagney filed suit against the company in Superior Court here last Friday, asking that the contract be cancelled. The actor contended that Jack Warner, head of the studio, agreed when a five year pact was made in 1932 that he would not be obligated to appear in more than four features yearly, but that he had been cast in five during each of the past two years. The court ordered Warners to show cause by this Friday why they should not be restrained from preventing Cagney from appearing in pictures for any other company.