Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1941)

Vol. 8 No. 16 AUGUST 9, 1941 P.Tge Three UNIVERSAL IS RUSHING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION! It is doubtful If any other distributor ever established as murh goodwill in a like period as the new Universal regime built for itself in the first two full years of its evistence. Now, it seenns, exhibitors feel this company is recklessly tossing away the friendship of those who cheered so lustily and did so much for its early success. We have received more complaints about Universal's policies in recent months than about all other distributors combined. There have been numerous squawks about the company's general attitude toward its customers. The legerdemain in connection with the allocation of IN THE NAVY brought a flood of protests from theatremen. The latest complaint against this company concerns the withholding of UNFINISHED BUSINESS, the Irene Dunne production, from release on the 1940-41 program, after exhibitors had been given every reason to anticipate delivery of the picture several times during the course of the season. Among the protests directed to FILM BULLETIN is this one from the Secretary of the Independent Theatre Owners of Ohio: My Dear Mr. Wax: We have had several inquiries regarding the withholding by Universal of UNFINISHED BUSINESS from this year's contract, notwithstanding the fact that as late as Psbruary of this year Universal announced that the picture would be released during the current season. Now that Universal is on the right side of the ledger, it would appear that they are starting to indulge in some of ths old and what I had thought never-to-berevived tactics of the larger companies. What do you know about the matter? Cordially yours, P. J. WOOD. Here is what we know about the matter: In an advertisement published early in February of this year, Universal announced that it "will deliver for 1940-41 the total number of pictures programmed" and proudly acclaimed the fact that it "has added to those pictures yet to be released star and production value enough to triple their ticket-selling power!". A list of releases for the balance of the '40-41 season followed, with UNFINISHED BUSINESS slated for August 15th release. The history of the picture's production follows: It went into production February 5th and shooting was completed on April 8th. It was in the cutting room until April 27th, when director Gregory La Cava locked it up and got married. He returned from his honeymoon at the end of May and did some more work on the film until about the middle of June, then the score was completed. About the 22nd of July it was previewed in both Oakland and Palo Alto on the coast. Universal decided to make a new ending and La Cava returned to the lot on July 29th and made a few added scenes with Irene Dunne. Despite the vicissitudes encountered during its production, UNFINISHED BUSINESS could easily have been "finished business" well in advance of the expiration date of Unlversal's 1940-41 contracts. Exhibitors can hardly be blamed for believing that the company's executives just couldn't resist the temptation to hold this picture out to bolster the '41-42 program. Tactics of this sort are not what the present Universal leaders promised when we liberally solashed our editorial pages with praise for them. They are doing an admirable job in bringing Universal to the fore of the film ranks, but we must warn that lasting success cannot be constructed on catch-penny schemes to get a few extra dollars from customers. We hope Messrs. Blumberg and Scully will announce that UNFINISHED BUSINESS will be delivered to holders of 1940-41 contracts. Then exhibitors and we will be back in their corner cheering for them. MO WAX. Uncle Sam Asks Little Enough in Return for the Precious Liberty He Gives His People . . . Let's Show Him We're Grateful DO YOUR BIT FOR THE U. S. A. . . . BY DOING YOUR SHARE FOR THE U. S. O. Collect in your theatres during the Week of September 1 7 KII,.M IJlI.I.ETlN.iiii liiil"|><-nili'nl Molioii I'icliirr Triidc I'iiixt |>iil>liNli ciI cvcr.v otlicr S[i(iir(liiv t>v I'iliii Kiillrtiii <'niii|>miv. Mit Kdltor and I'lihliHliir. I'lltMC AI'ION -KDITOHIA I. OIIKKS: 12:t!) Viiu St.. IMillii.. I".iin:i.; Krn.iilii)ii»i TIM; Hani.-.v Striii. riil.li.iidmi Miiimjrrr, T.d Itiirlow, < irciiliition >I;iiiaK<'r. NK« YOKK <)l IICK: rMI KKO niiltt.. Hoi U.f.llir Cinl.r; ( Olundms .->--' r,'.".. Ilnrr.v N. Hliiir. <;.-ii<Tal IliminoHK Mi:r.: I riinU Li'.v.-iid ■< ki r, .StiilT Ko|)r<N. iitn(iv<'. WKST COAST Oi l K K: (imiruiil.v HUlg.. (Cilii IIoUvuo.hI IHvd.. IIoIIvhoo.I. CuII forniii; OLyinpia IIIl'Nldo ■>IH; David lliiiiiia. Wi-nt Coaht Kdltnr. itOSI'ON (> I'KIC : 11 rii'iliiioiil Slic<-1: Itrrl Knrrlav. Sul.Hcriiilioii rate: ONK VKAIJ. $,(.00 in tin I'nitod Stntps; Canada $4.00: Kiirop.' $."..00. TWO YKAKS. $.->.00 In tlio Inltcd Slnton; Canadm $7.50; ICiiropp $!».0O. Appllcntion pi^ndini; entry hn Kccond rlawH matter Bl the riiiladrlpliia, I'a.. IN.Ht OITIi-c.