Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1935 - Aug 1936)

INDEPENDENT EXHIBITOR FILM BULLETIN METRO ASKING EXHIBS EXCHANGE 10 STAR FEATURES FOR 8 OTHERS NEW POLICY . . . In what is certainly no less than an amazing request to make of their 1 93 5-1936 contract holders, M-G-M is asking to be released from their obligation to deliver 10 pictures, nine of which arc ace star attractions, in exchange for 8 other features, only three of which might be classed as promising boxoffice values. The release is in the form of a "rider" to the contracts and is being presented to every account for signature. The explanation offered by the film company is that they desire to eliminate "hangovers," or the release of previous season pictures after a new season has begun. The plan is to complete the entire 193 5-1936 product before the new season product goes on the market. ASK TO DROP 10 . . . The ten pictures from which Metro is seeking to be released are: "The Great Ziegfeld"; "The Forty Days of Musa Dagh"; 2 Joan Crawfords; 2 Jean Harlows; 1 Clark Gable; 1 Grace Moore; 1 Jeanette MacDonald and 1 untitled musical. In exchange for these, the following 8 pictures are to be substituted: "Speed" with Madge Evans, Roland Young, Chester Morris and Ted Healy; "The Unguarded Hour" with Franchot Tone, Loretta Young and Lewis Stone; "Lady Comes To Town" with Clark Gable and Joan Crawford"; "Night In Glengyle" (no cast listed); "Piccadilly Jim" with Robert Taylor and Rosalind Russell; "Captains Courageous" with Freddie Bartholomew; "His Brother's Wife" with Franchot Tone, and "Love On the Run" with Robert Montgomery and Myrna Loy. SIGNING REPORTED . . . Metro exchanges report that exhibitors are signing the riders. Exhibitors say they are being told by the exchanges that others are signing and they should, too. Some theatremen who have signed complain about the obvious inequity of the deal, but state that they fear future reprisals if they should refuse to go along. PHILA. EXHIBITOR WINS GAME LOTTERY CASE BRIEF TRIAL . . . Efforts of the Philadelphia Police Department and the District Attorney's office to halt theatre games in this city received a setback when an exhibitor who was held on a lottery charge was acquitted by a jury in Common Pleas Court last Friday. Tom Davis, manager of the Globe, 17th and Annin Streets, was arrested several months ago and ordered to cease the operation of "Sweepstakes" in his theatre. After being dragged through magistrates' courts, the case was finally set to be heard. The trial lasted a full five minutes, during which the detective who made the arrest evaded the questions of defense attorney David Cohen, who sought to learn if he was compelled to take the card on which the game is played. Cohen rested and Assistant District Attorney Tracy rested without charging the jury. Judge Millar just told the jury to go ahead and do its duty. One of the jurors complained of being hard of hearing, but the verdict of "not guilty" was quickly announced. G-B Notables Arrive Jeffrey Bernard, general manager of distribution for GB in England, arrived on the S. S. Majestic last week, for several week's visit to this country. And Robert Young, having completed work in two GB productions— W. Somerset Maughan's "Secret Agent" with Peter Lorre and Madeleine Carroll, and "It's Love Again," starring Jessie Matthews — returned to New York Tuesday, aboard the S. S. Aquitania. He leaves for Hollywood in a few days. Selznick's 2nd In Color David O. Selznick's second production for United Artists release will be "Dark Victory," starring Merle Oberon, first modern story filmed entirely in the new Technicolor. RULING ON MAJORS' PLEA FOR NEW DUALS TRIAL EXPECTED NEXT WEEK JUDGES RETURN . . . The United States Circuit Court of Appeals is expected to hand down a ruling on the petition of the six defendent major film companies for a rehearing of the Perelman double feature case shortly after the Spring term of the court opens on Monday. Judges Davis and Woolley have been vacationing out of town, but received copies of the petitions filed by Warners, RKO, Metro, Fox and United Artists in one and by Paramount separately. No oral hearings will be held on the pleas; they will either be granted or denied on what is contained in the written petitions. DENIAL LIKELY . . . Legal observers hold no more hope for an affirmative decision on the producers' latest move to avoid the effect of District Court Judge Welsh's original decision decreeing that they abolish the clause in their contracts prohibiting dual bills than they did for a reversal of the Welsh ruling by the Circuit Court. The higher court unanimously upheld Judge Welsh's decision and followers of the case can find nothing in the petitions for rehearing that might influence Circuit Judges Buffington, Davis and Woolley to reverse themselves. Counsel for the defendants have definitely indicated that they will carry the case to the U. S. Supreme Court. They will have 90 days after the Circuit Court's ruling in which to take the final legal recourse open to them and file a petition for a writ of certiorari with the nation's highest court. MAE WEST QUITS PARA. Hollywood. — Mae West is reported definitely through with Paramount and signed to a contract with Emanuel Cohen. The studio will make a fight to retain the star's services on the ground that there has been no contract violation on their part. The actress, however, is said to be determined to make the break and has no intentions of returning to the Paramount lot.