Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1935 - Aug 1936)

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 1936 5 Golder Makes Preliminary Report To Judge Welsh; Dep't of Justice Men Sit In ATTORNEY'S FINDINGS AND FUTURE COURSE DISCUSSED AT SECRET SESSION In a conference held this afternoon (Wed.), the details of which must be kept secret for the time being, Benjamin M. Golder, special investigator of various practices employed by the major film companies, made a preliminary report of his findings to Federal Judge George A. Welsh, at whose request the Philadelphia attorney undertook the inquiry. Present also were representatives of the U. S. Attorney General and the Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice. At the specific request of Judge Welsh, the points covered in Mr. Golder's report and the topics discussed with the Government men were not to be disclosed. However, it is believed likely that an announcement of the inquiry's future course may be made from one source within the next two weeks. N. Y. EXHIB GROUP MAY FILE SUIT AGAINST MAJORS ON SHORTS FORCING ANTI-TRUST ACTION . . . The long fight of the New York I.T.O.A. against the majors' practice of forcing the sale of shorts with features may culminate in an anti-trust suit expected to be filed in Federal Court shortly. It is understood that such a case is being prepared by the organization's counsel. The I.T.O.A. has been one of the strongest opponents of the shorts forcing policy of the film companies and Harry Brandt, president of the body, was recently sued by RKO for failure to accept a number of shorts. Brandt's answer to the charge was that the company compelled him to sign for the short subjects if he wanted the features and that this was a violation of the State anti-trust laws. This case is now pending Municipal Court. It is possible that several other exhibitor groups in the East may join, with the New York organization to force a legal showdown on this selling practice. NO PREMIUMS! One of the brighter wags on Philly's Vine Street concocted this shrewd idea on one of his quiet days. Says he planned to take over the huge 5000 seat Mastbaum, now closed, and "run" dishes every night in the week. He encountered a hitch, however, at that point in his plan which provided that he give his patrons a film show, too, on the slower nights. Claims the dish dealers objected to his giving away "premiums!" CHICAGO INDIES PLAN NEW BOOKING UNIT TO HOLD RUNS AGAINST B & K . . . Chicago. — In an effort to protect themselves against the threat of increased clearance for the Balaban & Katz circuit, local independent exhibitors, led by Aaron Saperstein, Allied leader, are said to be planning a new booking organization which will put the indies in position to demand that their present runs be maintained, or bettered. Exhibitors were warned that B & K had asked for an additional week's clearance in many spots. It is intimated that two or three of the major exchanges are secretly advocating the formation of such a group, which they would be able to use to counter balance B & K's demands for more protection and to whom they might be able to sell their products away from the chain. Past attempts of Allied here to form a booking combine have been forestalled by threats of the distributors not to sell it. The independents are reported to be planning their new organization in such a manner that the distributors will leave themselves open to a conspiracy charge if they refuse to deal with the booking unit. Phila. ITO Meets Apr. 16 to Plan Zoning Schedule The Independent Theatre Owners of Philadelphia will meet next Thursday, 1 1 A.M. .it the Broadwood Hotel to take up the problem of plannning a uniform zoning ,nul protection schedule for the territory. President Charles Scgall will preside. BLOCK BOOKING BILL NOT DEAD, ALLIED CLAIMS HAVE HOPE . . . Rapping the "defeatist propaganda" in certain trade papers to the effect that the Neely-Pettengill bill is dead, Allied, in a special bulletin, claims that these charges are made "without a scintilla of proof." The bulletin states, in part: "The fact is that due to the intervention of certain emergency matters and the fact that the printing of the hearings has not been completed, Chairman Pettengill has not called his subcommittee into executive session on the bill. He expects to do so this week. "Allied has Mr. Pettengill's word for it that until the sub-committee has met and considered the measure no one has the right to draw any inferences whatever as to what the sub-committee will do." SENATE WATCHING HOUSE . . . It is also pointed out that the Senate subcommittee has taken no action due to the absence of Senator Neely, the chairman, and the fact that members of the Senate group had been following the more extensive House hearings. "Exhibitors are cautioned to keep their feet on the ground during this period when the full force and influence of the organized industry is directed to confusing the issues, distorting the facts and playing politics. Caught unprepared because they did not think hearings would be granted, the Big Eight are seeking to make up for their miserable showing in Washington by a campaign of discouragement, falsification and mud slinging," the bulletin advises. MARYLAND PASSES 07 THEATRE TAX 5 CENTS ON PASSES . . . Baltimore. — The Maryland State Assembly passed a one percent levy on gross receipts of all places of amusement late last week as part of its emergency relief tax program. Passes are also taxed as follows: Five cents where admissions are up to 49 cents; ten cents from SO cents to one dollar, and fifteen cents above one dollar. The gross receipts tax is retroactive as oi April 1st, while the levy on passes became effective this week.