Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1935 - Aug 1936)

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 1936 7 ALLIED SEEKS TO ELIMINATE ASCAP FEE ON THEATRES AMENDMENT . . . Washington. — Seeking the withdrawal of the Ascap music charge against movie theatres, Allied filed a memorandum Monday with the House Patents committee, which is conducting hearings on the Duffy copyright bill, proposing that the producers negotiate with the music group for the rights and charge it to exhibitors in the film rentals. The proposal was made in the form of an amendment to the bill, but the independent exhibitors' organization made it clear that if the "said proviso cannot be incorporated in the bill without endangering its passage at this session, the independent exhibitors favor the prompt enactment of the Duffy bill as passed by the Senate." SEEK SINGLE CHARGE . . . Simplifying the purpose of the proviso, the memorandum states: "It merely means that the producer-distributor shall bargain for and obtain all necessary rights and embody them in a single license for a single charge." By forcing the music tax to be levied by the producers, it is fair to assume that the present "score" charge now obtained by them from exhibitors would be dropped. In addition, it is expected that the charge for music rights would be far less if collected by the film companies than it is through the Ascap system. The Allied memo also states that exhibitors "will resist to the utmost" enactment of a bill that perpetuates the arbitrary penalty clause. The Duffy bill in its present form eliminates the $2 5 0 "liquidated damage" clause. HESS OPPOSES BILL . . . Gabriel L. Hess, attorney for the Hays organization, appeared before the committee Tuesday to voice objection against elimination of the penalty clause. He argued that if there were no damage threat against infringers "pirated" exhibitions of films would be encouraged. "Unauthorized exhibitions have this in common," Hess declared, "they not only destroy a portion of the only market available to distributors, but, by their dishonest competition seriously injure the honest exhibitor." Ed Kuykendall, speaking for the M.P.T.O.A., had previously favored passage of the bill without the penalty provision. He also decried the score charges made by producers. HCLLyWCCD FILICIKIEIPS By HARRY N. BLAIR Hollywood, Cal. Everybody out here is pepped up over the reports of Easter grosses . . . Looks like good times are really back. Now if we can only get some good pix in the can, Mamma will get her summer vacation after all. Speaking of box-office wallop, I hear that 20th Century's "Under Two Flags" has nothing else but. Zanuck pulled a sneak at Long Beach the other night which caught all the trade paper laddies napping. However, I have it from someone who was there that the audience really went for it. Colman and Colbert sound like a swell team with Vic McLaglen thrown in for good measure. A Foreign Legion story. Universal having found a suitable vehicle, McLaglen goes over there in a few weeks to make "Everybody Sings," which will mark Lou Brock's debut as a producer at "U." Another interesting loan is that of Paul Muni to Paramount with the picture as yet undecided. First time that the former Master Weisenfreund has been on any other lot except Warners discounting his unfortunate year with Fox in the early talkie days. Looks like Paramount is now all set with the new season's program completely outlined and 15 pix scheduled to start between now and May 15. Otterson and Zukor will be headed eastward by the time you read this, having accomplished a great job during the hectic sessions of the past two weeks. A visit to the Universal lot surprises with the way things are humming out there in the valley. Jack Holt is finishing "Crash Donovan" with Buck Jones completing "The Phantom Rider," last of his current serials. "It's a Small World" with Joan Bennett and Joel MacCrea starts this week. Also getting before the cameras is the sure-fire team of Powell and Lombard in "My Man Godfrey." What a swell piece of casting and how Powell will zoom to new heights when the customers get an eyeful of his work in "The Great Ziegfeld." "U" has a nice piece of merchandise in "Show Boat" and would like to road show the film, but being so far behind in deliveries a regular release is almost certain. Lasky-Pickford also has a nifty in "One Rainy Afternoon." Saw a rough print and glad to report it's a little bit of O. K. Lasky has quit being artistic. This one is down to anyone's level. Light, witty, clever. Republic plans to splurge with "20 Fathoms Deep." A camera crew is now in Florida getting atmospheric shots with actual production set to start in three weeks. Nat Levine is also pepped up about "Gangs of New York," which he expects to top "The Bowery." Same type of story by the man who wrote "Barbary Coast." Say "farce" to most indie producers and they'll tell you it's too risky to make. That's why Invincible is to be congratulated on making "False Fronts," which starts this week with Evalyn Knapp and Chick Chandler as leads. Predictions: B. P. Schulberg, whose contract with Columbia expires May 15, will replace Sam Briskin as head of RKO production . . . Walter Wanger will stay with Para . . . Warners will patch things up with Ascap . . . Carl Laemmle, assisted by Junior, will make three a year for major release. Our Reputation ... is a guarantee of QUALITY and SERVICE Whatever you need . . . from street to screen . . . WE HAVE IT1 The Independent Exhibitor's friend CLEM'S INDEPENDENT MOVIE SUPPLY HOUSE 1224 Vine Street Philadelphia