Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1935 - Aug 1936)

6 INDEPENDENT EXHIBITOR FILM BULLETIN AWAKENING THE 'SLEEPERS' (Continued from page 2) And, for the guy with a bit more exploitation guts, here's one: Put the bride and groom on an old plug truck horse! That will get you MORE laughs than anything that's been pulled in years and rates a high mark for general publicity for the theatre, as well as damn strong salesmanship for this particular picture. STAGE WEDDING The press book outlines a novel angle on that other hoary gag — the stage wedding. We recommend you study and execute this one for it has a novel twist that will bring you a world of free publicity. It revolves around getting the longest engaged couple in the locality to do the trick on your stage. Reason for the duration of the engagement is the lack of funds with which they could get married. Obviously, your part in making matrimony possible for this pair places you in the dual role of Cupid and Santa Claus. Don't pass it up! PRINTED MATTER The press sheet contains an unusually fine assortment of mats that sell. If you use a special herald, divide the front page in half, down the middle, with following copy: MAJOR-M.P.T.O.A. TRADE PRACTICE CONFERENCES A FAKE, SAYS I.T.O.A. ed and shown that Mr. Kuykendall and his crowd can never speak for and truly represent the independent unaffiliated exhibitors of the country, but in reality his group is and has always been supported by the affiliated group of exhibitors and producers as well as the Hays organization. The M.P. T.O.A. is attempting in a subtle but unconvincing fashion, to steal the thunder and sincere purpose of independent exhibitors who are trying to obtain a fair standard of trade practice to eliminate important evils in the exhibition end of the industry, as well as to afford long needed relief for the small and independent theatre owner who has had to bear the brunt of producerowned and affiliated theatre domination." AND SO THEY WERE MARRIED! Use press sheet mats to illustrate the inside spread. The same idea displayed above can be used on a window card or sheet. THINGS TO REMEMBER This picture was made by the producers of an important current hit, "Mr. Deeds Goes To Town," so mention it in all copy. Action house operators should note that there is a kidnap angle that might help sell it to the blood and thunder crowds. The two children of Douglas and Astor engineer their own fake kidnapping to reconcile their parents. All the stunts mentioned above can be pulled by the smallest houses. None of them A 'HOLLOW MOCKERY' . . . Charging that the M.P.T.O.A.-major distributor trade practice conferences are "a hollow mockery" and intended to fool the U. S. Government and block the demands of exhibitors for real remedies, the Independent Theatre Owners Ass'n of New York issued a warning to independent exhibitors to "protest vigorously against any move to be made in these unfair trade practice conferences and place no faith in their findings." The statement, issued by John Manheimer, executive secretary of the group, also demands "not only a showdown, but an open hearing in Washington, in the presence of the Federal Trade Commission." NO PARTICIPATION . . . The I. T.O.A. had sought to participate in the conferences, but claims that it was given what amounted to a "run-around" by both the distributors and Ed Kuykendall, president of the M.P.T.O.A. Harry Brandt, president of the New York independents contacted Kuykendall, but "was informed that nobody would be permitted to sit in to their fair trade practice conferences, except representatives of the M.P.T.O.A. and if the rest of the exhibitors did not like what the M.P.T.O.A. agreed upon, they did not have to accept the same," the statement declares. "The I. T.O.A., Inc. does not believe that there is any exhibitor element throughout (Still of (Still of Douglas) Astor) HE HATED SHE SAID, ALL WOMEN AND VOWED "NO, NO, HE'D NEVER A THOUSAND MARRY AGAIN TIMES NO" TO FOOL GOV'T . . . "This procedure of the M.P.T.O.A. in calling upon the distributor big-wigs of the majors is a hollow mockery. The best that can be achieved is to have distributors throw the exhibitors a bone in the form of small concessions on cancellations and other such relatively unimportant tid-bits which are counted on to keep theatre owners quiet for another year. "Their strategy is destined as a gesture to fool the Government and persuade Washington that the industry is going to clean house and that there is no need for outside regulation," it is stated. The published statement was signed by Maurice Brown, secretary of the I. T.O.A. PARAMOUNT POSTERS (Continued from page 5) forced upon exhibitors since the film contracts specify that the distributor is to furnish adequate advertising material to theatres playing the product. 'FREEZE OUT' . . . Simon Libros, president of the National Poster Service Ass'n, charged Paramount with seeking to "freeze out" the poster renters, "after which they will sell the posters on their own terms." A New York trade paper reports a Paramount executive as admitting that the company's aim is to rid the field of the renters, because "they have no right being in the business. The material is ours and they have no right to rent it out." Scene from "And So They Were Married" involve more than a few dollars expense, and most can be done at no cost whatsoever. Drag your carcass off the chair and sell this show. Unless, perhaps, you're doing so well you don't have to work! Be seem' for bucks. $ $ $ $ $ Fred Astaire Agrees To Make Only 2 Per Year Hollywood. — Under the terms of his new deal with RKO, Fred Astaire will make no more than two features each season. In the past, the dancer has turned out three per year, but claimed that this number may shorten his starring life.