Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1935 - Aug 1936)

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 1936 9 MAJORS TALKING SELECTIVE DEALS FOR ALL HOUSES; NO CANCELLATION MODIFIED BLOCK BOOKING . . . Final outcome of the major distributors' plans for easing the pressure from various exhibitor complaints is now regarded as likely to be some modified method of selling in blocks, but allowing theatres to sign for less than the entire output. Thus, they expect to remove the onus from the present block booking system and, at the same time, do away with the demands for increased cancellation privilege. The distributors are individually drawing up plans for revising the selling system, but whatever concessions are made to the indies' protests will be the result of uniform thinking, if not actual collaboration. They will then go through the routine of presenting the concessions to the M.P.T.O.A. committee, who will be credited with swinging them for the exhibitor body at large. This is part of the obvious "build-up" for which the M.P.T.O.A. has been primed for almost a year. ' , INCREASE OUT . . . Increase of the present 10 percent cancellation privilege is definitely out, unless there is an unexpected change in the attitude of most of the majors. They are reluctant to adopt this plan, because they believe that it will not rid them of attacks on the block booking issue. Neither is there likely to be any radical change in the present general policy on preferred playing time, except, possibly, some arbitrary limit on the percentage of pictures each company may ask to play on weekends. PENN THEATRE EQUIPMENT CO. — Presents — A Complete Line of Theatre Supplies and Projection Equipment Switching of allocation after release of a picture may go by the board, some of the distributors viewing this as more of a nuisance than its worth. Meanwhile, exhibitors are hesitating to sign new season deals until definite announcement is made on the contemplated changes in past practices. This will probably force the distributors to announce the concessions within the next week or two. CONN. INDEPENDENTS DISOWN MPTOA UNIT NO CONNECTION . . . New Haven. — Recording their independence of the M.P.T.O.A., the Connecticut I.M.P.T.O. last week passed a resolution asserting that their body has no connection with the national organization. The resolution condemned the M.P.T.O.A. as producer-controlled, dominated through the affiliated theatre membership, and declared that no one in the M.P.T.O.A. is authorized to act for the Independents in the conferences being held in New York. The Connecticut indies recently revolted when efforts were made by an M.P.T.O.A. official to lead the unit into the ranks of the pseudo-exhibitor national body. ALLIED ALERT ON N.J. TAX MUDDLE WARY . . . Trenton. — Facing the threat of an everincreasing army of unemployed converging on the Capitol, Republican leaders decided Tuesday to hold a full party caucus Wednesday morning to reach some decision on providing funds for relief during the balance of this year. The "luxury" taxes are still being considered, in addition to proposed levies on general retail sales, chain stores, incomes, utilities, corporate incomes, truck mileage and gasoline. New Jersey Allied leaders are keeping a watchful eye on relief tax developments here. Sidney Samuelson, Lee Newbury and other exhibitor leaders have been closely following the Legislature's course since the taxation issue arose and the so-called "luxury" levies, including an admission tax, were proposed. A Six Star Special with Money-Getting Names To Light Your Marquee And Blaze the Way To the Box-office! • WHAT A LIFE! When Her Mama Spent : the $50,000 socutf WITH LOUISE FAZE NDA MAUDE EBURNE With ANN RUTHERFORD,. EDDIE NUGENT, Hedda Hopper, Frahldin Pangborn A Ndl Uxtnt I'roducl A Maxol Piclun Brings You A New Comedy Couple and A New Romantic Couple In a Laugh-Panic! GOLD MEDAL Film Company 203 EYE STREET, N. W. Washington, D. C.