Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1935 - Aug 1936)

6 INDEPENDENT EXHIBITORS 'FILM BULLETIN' DUALS SHOWDOWN 20TH-FOX ANNOUNCES 65 FEATURES, DEFINITE IN FALL 4 ROGERS REISSUES, NEXT SEASON PHILLY CASE . . . The recurring problem of whether exhibitors have the right to double feature the pictures they buy, or the producers have the right to compel single featuring of their products, is slated to reach a final decision early next fall. The Phila. (Perelman) dual bill litigation, on which reargument was postponed last week until the Oct. Term of the Circuit Court of Appeals, is generally regarded as the crucial case that will force a showdown on the issue. In that action, the major distributors were ordered by U. S. District Court to discontinue the use of the contract clause barring duals. Appeal to the Circuit Court has delayed the ultimate U. S. Supreme Court decision until Fall. CONFLICTING VIEWS . . . The dual bill problem has become increasingly complicated as exhibitors and producers both seek to protect their interests and find themselves in violent conflict. The majority of independent theatre owners in single bill territories do not desire to have double featuring become the regular practice. However, they find themselves being forced into the practice by the type of product being turned out in bulk by the major studios. Many of the films are definitely produced to accommodate dual bdl houses and theatres in single feature locations cannot realize a profit on them when shown alone. The producers, on the other hand, are beset by the realization that a large section of the country is committed to twin bills and they must deliver film in quantity to theatres in these locations. During the past season the opinion that longer features will force fewer dual bills gained some credence in producer circles, but it is hardly likely that more than two or three dozen pictures of the two or more hours length can be produced by all the studios combined. What of the other 300 features? SOLUTION ? . . . In the industry are two schools of thought on the subject. One propounds the belief that the public will finally decide the issue by either patronizing or shunning double feature shows. The other school argues that the future of the industry is endangered by the practice and that there may be no recovery from the flood of low quality dual bill product now glutting the market and being fed to the public in overdoses. They suggest regulation within the industry, by agreement between producers and exhibitors to limit dualling to films that warrant showing them as two-for-onc admission bargains. TOTAL 69 . . . A total of 69 features, 65 new ones and four Will Rogers' reissues, was announced for the 193 6-3 7 season by 2 0th CenturyFox at the annual sales convention held in Chicago last weekend. Fifty-four of the films will be produced at the company's own studio, the remainder independently and in British studios. Sol Lesser will make six and five will come from abroad. Less than half of the total number of releases are designated by something more tangible than titles. Outstanding among the films listed by stars, stories or both are "Ramona," the company's first Technicolor venture; "The Road to Glory," with Warner Baxter and Fredric March; 4 Shirley Temple vehicles; 4 Jane Withers vehicles, and two Irving Berlin musicals. FULL LIST . . . Following is the complete list of productions designated by stars and stories as issued by John D. Clark, general sales manager: "Ramona," in Technicolor, with Loretta Young and Don Ameche; directed by Henry King. 4 Shirley Temple pictures 2 titles listed: "The Bowery Princess," and "The Stowaway." 4 Jane Withers pictures; 1 title listed: "Pepper;" one other to be a musical. 2 Irving Berlin musicals; 1 title listed: "On the Avenue." 3 Charlie Chan stories; 3 titles listed: "With the Fleet," "At the Race Track" and "Murder at the Opera." Johnston Moves to New Republic Offices Growth of the company has necessitated Republic home office taking additional space in 1776 Broadway, where W. Ray Johnston, president, will direct the business management, production contact and financial arrangements. The domestic sales, publicity and contract departments remain in the R.K.O. Building, Radio City. The story department, headed by Lou Lifton, is also being enlarged and an effort will be made to develope new players and writers for the studio. There is no doubt that the industry, as a whole, will be forced to face this vexing problem seriously within the next six months. 3 Jones Family stories; 1 title listed: "See America First." "Road to Glory," starring Fredric March and Warner Baxter; directed by Howard Hawks. "Sing, Baby, Sing," musical comedy, with Adolphe Menjou, Alice Faye, Ted Healy. 1 Dionne Quintuplets feature. "Girls' Dormitory," with Simone Simon, French actress. "To Mary — With Love," starring Warner Baxter and Myrna Loy; directed by John Cromwell. "Love Flight," starring Lawrence Tibbett. "King of the Khyber Rifles," starring Victor McLaglen. "Singapore," starring McLaglen. "Lloyds of London," with Don Ameche. Re-make of "The Mark of Zorro;" no cast named. "The Holy Lie," with Jane Darwell and Claire Trevor. "Ladies in Love," with Janet Gaynor. "Thank You, Jeeves," P. G. Wodehouse story, with Arthur Treacher. "Peach Edition," with Sonja Henie, ice-skating champion. Re-make of "Seventh Heaven." In the five British-made features will be one starring Elizabeth Bergner. 100 SHORTS . . . A total of 100 short subjects, 88 of them to be produced by Educational, will be distributed by 20th Century-Fox, in addition to 104 issues of Movietone News. There will be six "Adventures of a Newsreel Cameraman" and six "Along the Road to Romance." The Educational groups will consist of 42 two-reelers and 46 one-reelers. August is "Support the Independents Month" Book as many independent pictures as possible to encourage the production of more good films.