Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1935 - Aug 1936)

WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1936 5 BALABAN, HEAD OF B & K CIRCUIT, ELECTED PRESIDENT OF PARAMOUNT ZUKOR APPROVAL . . . With the approval of Paramount's virtual dictator, Adolph Zukor, Barney Balaban, head of the Balaban & Katz affiliated theatre circuit in Chicago, was elected president of Paramount Pictures at last Thursday's meeting of the board of directors. Zukor, who could have had the job for the asking, declined, preferring to remain in his present post as active head of production and acknowledged boss of the company from his position as chairman of the board. The selection of Balaban, who will remain as president of the B & K chain for the time being, was acclaimed by many industry observers as a wise choice for Paramount. It promises a new era of cooperation between the production, distribution and exhibition branches of the company: Zukor at the studio helm, Neil F. Agnew directing distribution, and Balaban guiding the theatre affiliates. POPE ASKS LEGION EXTENSION; POINTS TO U. S. ADVANCES THROUGHOUT WORLD . . . In an encyclical letter on the world film situation, Pope Pius last week urged the extension of Legion of Decency activities throughout the world and commented on the improvement the organizaton had wrought in the moral tone of Americanmade movies. The Pontiff asked for cooperation between bishops and Catholic laymen in setting up reviewing agencies in other countries. Of the effect of the drive in this country, the encyclical declared, "This campaign succeeded in raising the moral level of films and in the process has in no wise inflicted damage on the industry because many Catholics who had abstained from the cinema resumed patronage when assured of its moral improvement." He also states, however, that it was the inability of the producers to put into effect their promises to improve the moral tone of films that brought about the necessity for the original Legion of Decency drive. Felt's in West Oak La ne Plans are completed for a moving picture theatre and seven stores to be erected at 5 6th Ave. and Wyncote Ave., West Oak Lane, Phila., Pa. Thalheimer and Weltz are the architects with Cecil M. Felt, the owner. Calls for one and two stories of brick, steel, stone and concrete construction. Estimates will be submitted on July 17th. Quits Nat'l Review Bd.; Cites Source of Funds Dr. Louis I. Harris, for ten years a member of the executive committee of the National Board of Motion Picture Review, resigned almost a month ago, charging that the organization is directly controlled by the film producers, since they pay for its maintenance, and that the board "has failed to serve as the spokesman body for the American community" in its relationship with the motion picture industry. Dr. Harris' letter, written to Dean George W. Kirchwey, chairman of the executive committee, last June 9th, was made public last Saturday. In part, it stated: "During my association with it the board has failed to serve as the spokesman body for the American community to help in realizing the recreational, educational and social possibilities of the motion picture. "Also in my opinion, as I have from time to time stated, it was of questionable propriety for the board to accept for its principal source of maintenance and support money paid to it by the motion picture industry for the review of pictures. How could the board, beholden as it has been to the industry for the money thus received, feel free and with good grace criticize the program, achievements and activities of those in control of the motion picture industry?" GB Promises 2 Per Month According to Arthur A. Lee, vice-president, Gaumont-British will release its 1936-37 product on a regular schedule of two features each month. First will be "Doomed Cargo," with Edmund Lowe and Constance Cummings. Second release will be "Nine Days a Queen," starring Nova Pilbeam and Cedric Hardwicke. Imperial Buys 'Soldier' Imperial purchased the film rights to "Soldier of Fortune," George Atwill's fictionized biography of a modern international Robin Hood. Prom the coast comes word that this company has already started production on "Wooden Kimona," from the Broadway stage success. Gluckman Sees Big Advance During '36-'37 Optimistic about the industry's prospects in the coming year, usually reticent Herman Gluckman, holder of two of Republic's most important franchises, in New York and Phila., indulged in one of his infrequent talks for publication. "After a trying five years, the theatres of the country have seen a really amazing revival of business during the past six months to a year. That, of course, augurs well for everyone else connected with the industry — producer, distributor, equipment manufacturer, employe — for, after all, it is through the exhibitor's boxoffice that flows the lifeblood of the entire motion picture industry. Herman Gluckman "Every producer is eager to take advantage of this improvement in general conditions, I'm sure, and they will strive to make the best product possible. "As for Republic, what we delivered this past season only served to prove that we are an important new factor in the industry. What we have plans for this coming season will exceed the fullest limits of what any exhibitor will allow himself to expect from any film company. We pioneered last season. Now we will build on this foundation of experience." Loew's Earns Over 7 Millions in 40 Weeks Loew's, Inc., parent company of M-G-M Pictures, shows a net profit of $7,390,495 for the forty-week period ending June 4, it was reported by David Bernstein, vice-president and treasurer, today (Wed.). This is equivalent to $4.47 a share of common stock outstanding. The profit for the 40 weeks ended June 6, 193 5, was $5,840,35 1 after the same deductions had been made.