Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1935 - Aug 1936)

6 INDEPENDENT EXHIBITOR F ILM BULLETI N' — GOV'T CHARGES ST. L. DEFENDANTS' APPEAL TO SUPREME COURT ONLY AIMED AT DELAYING N. Y. TRIAL LESS TIME . . . St. Luuh. — The Department of Justice regards the motion for an appeal to the U. S. Supreme Court by the defendants in the dismissed anti-trust case as an attempt to delay pursuance of the broader action now pending in New York District Court, it is declared in a plea filed with Federal Judge Charles B. Davis by U. S. District Attorney Harry C. Blanton last Saturday. The court is asked to reduce the time allowed for preparing the film companies' appeal, in order to permit the N. Y. Case to get under way. Several weeks ago, Judge Davis granted the defendants' motion to appeal to the nation's ultimate tribunal on the grounds that Judge Molyneaux lacked authority to dismiss the local equity suit without prejudice to the Government's case. Time until May 4th was allowed for filing of the appeal. Blanton's motion requests the court to cut that time 10 days, pointing out that, unless the appeal is presented to the Supreme Court earlier, the N. Y. action may be delayed until next winter. ADMIT BAR . . . This move is viewed as an admission by the Department of Justice that the appeal blocks the pending trial of the three companies and thirty of their executives. Solicitor Stanley Reed, who wrote the motion, argues that the Supreme Court itself has several times upheld the right of courts to dismiss a case without prejudice prior to the rendering of a decision. In the light of this fact, the plea points out that there can be no purpose behind the defendants' action other than a desire to prevent the prompt commencement of the N. Y. conspiracy suit. Judge Davis is scheduled to hand down his ruling on the Government's motion this Friday. Laemmle Jr. Leaving U Hollywood. — Carl Laemmle, Jr., is leaving Universal to enter the independent production field, according to announcement made here Tuesday. The son of the recently retired Universal president is said to have several valuable story properties in his own name and will sign stars to appear in them. No release arrangements have been made, although it is not unlikely that either Universal or Columbia will distribute for him. PLANS BEING SET FOR ALLIED MEET JUNE 3-5 .. . Cleveland . — Plans to make the forthcoming annual Allied convention here the biggest and most important in the organization's history are progressing under the guidance of an aggressive general committee, headed by H. M. Richey. At a confab held last week, attended by Pete Wood, Martin Smith, G. W. Erdmann and Richey, committees were named and a general outline of the convention's program set. Richey was selected general chairman. Wood and Erdmann will act as general secretaries over all committees. The following members were named chairmen of committees: M. B. Horwitz, general; Martin G. Smith, arrangements; Ernest Schwartz, reception; Henry Greenberger, entertainment; Jack Shulman, banquet; John Kalafat, exhibits; L. G. Baldwin, publicity; John Urbansky, transportation. N. J. HOUSE PASSES 4 \ ADMISSION TAX TO SENATE . . . Trenton. — After nine unsuccessful attempts to put through the proposed "luxury" tax bill to raise revenue for unemployment relief, the New Jersey Assembly late Tuesday night passed the measure and sent it to the Senate, where favorable action is expected Wednesday night. The bill provides for a 4 percent levy on gross receipts of amusements. Admissions of 10 cents or less are not affected. Sponsored by Henry Young, Jr., of Essex County, the measure also includes a tax of 2 cents on every package of twenty cigarettes and a like amount on every twenty cents worth of cosmetics. AWAKENING THE 'SLEEPERS' (Continued from page 2) Give! them a window display with copy like this: "Cruise Thru the Beautiful Carribean, Where DRAKE THE PIRATE Scuttled A Hundred Ships . . See the thrilling romantic picture 'DRAKE THE PIRATE' at the Strand . . ." Perhaps the agency can be promoted for a free cruise as the prize for any one of several contests that can be run. It takes only a little time to try it. SCHOOLS, GROUPS The film story of the life of Sir Francis Drake should get you into your local school. The picture is historically accurate and you should start it off by inviting the principal and all the teachers of the school to a special screening in advance of the opening. Sell them the idea of conducting an essay contest on the life of Drake, with you providing the prizes. Women's clubs and Better Picture groups will be interested in aiding you to exploit it. Your job is to bring it to their attention and let them know that it is historically important and authentic. PRINTED MATTER Your general herald and program copy should tie in "Mutiny" and "Blood." Front page of the herald might carry only this: "First MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY . . . Then CAPTAIN BLOOD . . . Now— DRAKE THE PIRATE, The Amazing Chronicle of the Man Who Made England Mistress of the Seas!" Spot the skull and cross-bones on the cover. Several swell mats are available in the press book to illustrate the inside spread. It will pay you to get out a special herald for the schools, stressing the historical, as well as the adventuresome and romantic angles. So there it is for you to use or pass up. "DRAKE THE PIRATE" can be sold and the smart guys will do business with it. X $ I $ $ • $ NEXT WEEK! FILM BULLETIN'S SPRING EQUIPMENT SUPPLEMENT • NOW Is the Time to Refurbish YOUR Theatre! Special Informative Articles on a Variety of Subjects