Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1935 - Aug 1936)

4 %dependent EXHIBITORS FILM BULLETIN N. J. ALLIED'S CONVENTION To Discuss Film Terms . . . "With film demands becoming increasingly exorbitant, exhibitors are more than ever aware of the value of meeting together, exchanging ideas and information, and laying plans to keep the independent exhibitor in business," states Lee W. Newbury, president of Allied of New Jersey, in the organization's current bulletin. The subject which prompts his remarks is the forthcoming convention of the group, slated to be held at the Traymore Hotel, Atlantic City, September 9-10-11. "The Allied national convention in Cleveland in June demonstrated beyond doubt the great strength of the independent exhibitors of the country," the bulletin declares. "The problems of New Jersey theatre owners and of other eastern exhibitors are the same as those the country over; film, taxation, legislation, the ever-growing monopoly. Only with unified action and the wholehearted interest and cooperation of each and every independent exhibitor can we hope to solve our major problems. "You should be at the Hotel Traymore in Atlantic City when the roll is called," Newbury advises in conclusion. Yes, you should! G<N TO SELL GROUPS First Sales Parley . . . The new Grand National Films held its first sales convention at the Warwick Hotel, N. Y., on Monday and Tuesday and issued some primary information on its policy and product for the 1936-37 season. "Each producer for Grand National will have its own individual product sold separately," stated Carl Leserman, the youthful looking vice-president in charge of distribution. And this was interpreted to mean that the G-N policy would be similar to that of United Artists, since the producers in both cases have profit-sharing arrangements with the parent companies. Among the other announcements made by Leserman was the one that the budget on the first James Cagney vehicle, "Great Guy," would run to $45 0,000 or more. The script for this film is now in preparation and the star, who attended the sales confab, will leave for the studio within the next few weeks. Releases Scheduled . . . In addition to Leserman, who presided, the meeting was addressed by James Winn, Eastern division sales manager, and Edward Finney, producer and director of advertising and publicity. In attendance were the exchange managers of the eastern, midwestern and southern divisions, among them John Bachman of Philadelphia, I. Levine of New Haven and Harry Brown of Washington. Dates of the first 17 releases were announced, starting with "The Devil on Horseback," a George Hirliman production, which goes out September 22nd. In order, the others follow: Sept. 29: "White Legion," with Tala Bircll and Ian Keith; B. F. Zeidman production. Oct. f>: "Yellow Cargo," with Conrad Nagel; Hirliman. Oct. 13: "Captain Calamity," a Hirliman color picture. Oct. 20: "In His Steps," with Cecelia Parker and Eric Linden; Zeidman. Oct. 27: "Call Me Arizona," western, with Tex Ritter; Edward Finney. Nov. 4: "We're in the Legion Now," Hirliman color film. Nov. 10: "Five Little Peppers," Zeidman. Nov. 17: "Great Guy," with James Cagney. Nov. 24: "Hats Off," musical; Boris Petroff. Dec. 3: "Twenty Three and a Half Hours' Leave," Douglas MacLean. Dec. 7: "Naval Spy," with Conrad Nagel; Hirliman. Dec. 10: "Sing Cowboy Sing," with Tex Ritter; Finney. Dec. 17: "Snow Covered Wagons," produced by Lorenz Del Riccio. Dec. 24: "China," MacLean. Jan. 1 : "Grand Canyon," Hirliman color film. Jan. 8: "Murder With Music," musical; Petroff. GRAND NATIONAL MEN AT SALES CONCLAVE In this group of Grand National executives and exchange managers, ue spot the following: Carl M. Leserman, vice-president ; Edward Finney, producer and ad head; James Winn, Eastern sales manager; Stanley Hatch, supervisor of branch operations; John Bachman of Phila.; I. Levine of New Haven; Harry Brou n of Washington, and Morris Epstein of New York. SKOURASWARNERS TAKE RCA One Service; Other Equipment . . . Two important deals were announced by RCA Photophone this week. One provides for the servicing Erpi equipment in 300 Skouras-operated Fox Theatres in the middle west and west; the other deal involved the installation of the latest RCA equipment in 13 important Warner houses in the east. The Skouras contract is the first which RCA has ever signed for servicing a large circuit using another brand of equipment. Under the arrangement, RCA service engineers will make periodic check-up calls and be available for emergency service, without charge, whenever necessary. Spare replacement parts will be stored at strategic points throughout the country for emergencies. The Warner installations are of the new standard High Fidelity System, with rotary stabilizer sound head and a new two-way cellular type loud speaker, which insures uniformly high quality sound reproduction. Tests of this equipment were secretly made in the Strand, N. Y., and Stanley, Phila.