Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1941)

"Not a dark house in more than 20 years of film delivery service!" NEW JERSEY MESSENGER SERVICE Member National Film C'arriPra' Asa'n 250 N. JUNIPER STREET PHII.ADELI'illA LOCUST 4822 RACK 4600 SHORT SUBJECTS DO YOUR BIT FOR THE U.S.A. ... BY DOING YOUR SHARE FOR THE U.S.O. SAVE TIME ENERGY INSURANCE WORRY MONEY Economically Sensible for All Your Deliveries to Be Made by HORLACHER DELIVERY SERVICE, Inc. PIIII.ADKI.I'IIIA It \ I.TIMOR K 1228 Vine St. 1801 Bayard St. WAISIIINOTON NEWARK 1638 3d St., N. E. 52 Hunter St. FROM PHILLY By JAY WALKER • TRADE SCREENINGS 8/12 10;:!0 a.m. — Inteinationa] Hiiuailroii (Uarn«TH) 1220 Vine Street. ,S/12 12:00 Noon — The .SmilinK (ilioxt (Wariifrs) 1220 Vine Street. 8/12 2:30 p.m. — Navy Blues (Warnerti) 1 220 \'ine Street. Decision in the Harry Waxman suit vs. Columbia Pictures, S-W and Weiland Atlantic City Theatres was handed down by Federal Judge Guy K. Bard last Wed. Court sustained the contention of Columbia's attorney Morris M. Wcxier that Clause 7 of the film contracts (which provides protection for existing customers against newly opened theatres) applies only to clearance — not to run. Waxman claimed that Columbia had no right to play p'ctures in recently opened new Embassy Theatre ahead of his Hollywood or Astor Theatres on Atlantic Avenue on the ground that the S-W Colonial was the established first run on the Avenue. Wexler argued that since the contracts with Waxman's two houses provided only that they were to play second run, and since the first run theatre was not designated by name, Columbia had a right to play its pictures first run in any house, as long as it did not change the Hollywood and Astor runs. The Court denied Waxman's petition for a preliminary injunction. The seashore inde declared his intention to continue the legal fight. . .Meeting of the local U. S. O. motion picture committee was held Tuesday under direction of co-chairmen Bob Lynch and Sidney Samuelson. Film salesmen and S-W Theatre managers were assigned job of visiting the exhibitors to get signed pledges to cooperate by taking up collections in their theatres during the week Sept. 1-7. This drive has the backing of the entire industry and every patriotic citizen. Pitch in and do your bit!... Our own James P. (Jim) Clark steps into the shoes of John B. Kelly as Chairman of the Democratic City Committee... "Let's Get Down To Business" will be the slogan of the 12th Annual Allied Convention to be held here Sept. 16-18. One of the most imposing platforms ever planned for an exhib confab has been conceived by chairman Sidney Samuelson and his committee members. Deep interest in new problems arising from the Consent Decree is expected to bring out a record assemblage country .. .Local trade was shocked by the sudden death of William Rovner last Mon. A heart attack took him from his wife and 5-months old baby .. .Murray Diamond (a proud new papa) and William Fishman took over the New Ideal. . .Arbitration case filed by Samuel Somerson, Palm, was dismissed and Somerson assessed costs... The Empress (formerly Elmbassy), A. C, opens as a foreign and art film house under aegis of what US said to be Harry Brandt interests. . .Bob Lynch got a howl at the U. S. O. meeting Wed. by ribbing Charlie Zagrans about having those four portholes placed in the new RKO bldg. so he can look down Summer st. "to spy on Metro's customers!" FROM BOSTON By BARCLAY • TRADE SCREENINGS .s/12 10:00 a.m. — Intt riiational Sriiiadron (VVarnrrK) 20th-P(jx PiojectiOM Room — lis Broadway. ^^/12 11::UJ a.m. — The Smiling Ghost (Warners) 20th-Fox Projection Room. s/1 2 2:00 11. m. — Navy Blues (Warners) 20th-Fox I'rujcction Rci m. Motion picture reviews in the FILM BULLETIN should be closely scrutinized for intelligent film buying under the blockcf-five set-up. Arthur K. Howard, business manager of the Independent Exhibitors, Inc., adviced members last week. . ."Don't take the advice of producer-financed papers because all you get is a plug for each picture," Howard said... An up-to-the-minute product rating service will soon be provided members in gcod standing the Independent Exhibitors bullet.ned members this week. Urgently requesting that such information be kept strictly confidential, the organization said, "We are trying to give you an honest opinion for your own personal use and trust that you won't abuse our confidence". . .Explained Howard, "An anoymous committee made up of competent film buyers is to review the piciurcs of the Big Five and will report their opinion of the box-ofBce values of the pictures. We will rate the pictures accordingly and as each block of five is completed, will send you a thumbnail review and a boxoffice rating of each. Members in good standing will also receive a loose-leaf folder for the rating sheets. By keeping them in a folder, there will be less danger of their being lost or seen by salesmen or anyone else.". . .Howard recommended that trade reviews from the FILM BULLETIN be pasted on the back of the rating sheets. . ."You should try to see each picture if you possibly can. These who cannot, should read the reviews very carefully .. .Our rating information will be as accurate as we can make it but please be warned that we can guess wrong, too. You must use your own best judgment after you have gathered every bit of information available. Don't fail to take into consideration your own situation and the particular likes and dislikes of your own patrons. . .Don't let any salesman horse you into believing that the high cost of selling under the new system calls for higher rentals. Actually, there is very little increase in cost if figured in proportion to the total of the revenue per film. . .You should not be in any hurry to buy. Remember, pictures are a very perishable commodity. In order to get maximum revenue, the distributors must sell their pictures prior to their availability to their customers; otherwise they will sacrifice revenue every day that their customers delay buying. . .While it works both ways, nevertheless you can always afford to leave out a block from any company at any time. You shculd be pretty well stocked un with nictures now in order to place yourself in the best bargaining position. . .Don't let a terrific lack of good releases in the last few months stampede you into going overboard on film rentals for the first few blocks which may contain one or two outstanding releases. Such action will establish unreasonably high rentals which it will be difficult or impossible for you to break down." 26 FILM BULLETIN