Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1941)

4 AUGUST 23, 1941 Vol. 8 No. 17 EYES ON ALLIED If has probably bee" remarkeH before that the motion picture industry is at present undergoing one of the most crucial periods in its entire history. The Consent Decree has injected so many new elements into the trade that it has producers, distribuiors and exhibitors all in a whirl. Exhibitors — and film men, too — have more to talk about, more to think about today than ever before. Nothing they could do will dissolve their problems mofe quickly and completely than thinking and talking about them. it was shrewd anticipation of just the situation that exists today that prompted the leaders of National Allied to delay their annual convention from the usual spring date to September 16-17-18 ihh year. Thus, this alert organization has placed itself in position to render maximum aid to independent exhibitors and to the industry at large. We have just had a private peek at the agenda be'ng prepared by Chairman Sidney E. Samuelson arrd his committees. It will not be breaking a pledge of confidence to reveal our unqualified opinion that the Philadelphia meeting will be momentous and certainly the most constructive exnibitor convention ever held. It will be attended by more top ranking film executives than ever appeared at an independent theatremen's conclave, which is ample proof that the production-distribution branch is fully cognizant of the need for a broader understanding of the whole industry picture under the Decree. But Allied will not confine its convention business to the immediate alone. With typical perspicacity and foresight. General Counsel Abram F. Myers has -already indicated the need for planning to cushion the probable suspension of the trade screening and b[ocks-of-five provisions of the Decree. In a recent bulletin, Mr. Myers predicted such an eventuality and asked: "Will the mistake of 1940 be repeated ard a selling method be devised without consultation with the organized exhibitors?" He impressed the urgency of the need for contact and cooperation between the branches of the industry "to the end that policies and activities affecting all may, so far as legal and practicable, be shaped and adopted in such form as will work a minimum of hardship and command a maximum of support." So it is quite within the realm of possibility that the foundation for the selling system to follow blocks-of-five will be probed and laid at the Philadelphia convention. Exhibitors who have thoughts on that subject should not pass up the opportunity to have their say. UNIVERSAL STANDS PAT Pursuing our argument that Universal is obligated to deliver "Unfinished Business" to exhibitors holding I 940-4 I contracts, we asked William A. Scully, General Sales Manager if there was any possibility of the company reversing its untenable claim that the picture could not be ready in time for release this season. He answered, "No." This one feature will not make or break any exhibitor (nor would its proper release break Universal!), but there is an important issue involved. From time to time, a distributor thinks it is smart business to pull out a scheduled summer release and hold it for re-sale the following season. Since the time of the celebrated exhibitor "strike" against Paramount several years ago, there has been a decrease In the distributors' inclination to employ this shabby practice, but it reappears occasionally, as in this case of "Unfinished Business." The point is that exhibitors cannot afford to accept such questionable practices without resisting for they would then grow to much more alarming proportions. It may not seem the most vital sort of an issue in this year of blocks-of-flve, but with the likelihood that block booking will return in some form next season, thought must be given to preventing tricks like this from being penetrated. Universal should be made to realize that the extra profits it hopes to grab by withholding "Unfinished Business" will never compensate for the loss of goodwill. KII.M llt'I.I.ETIN.aii In(li-iirn<lcnt Molliin I'i<liirp Triidc I'iipcr published every other Saturday by Film l$iilb-liii < Lnipany. Mo Wax, Editor anil l'iibli»her. PlJtl.ICATION-KDITOKIA I. OTFICKS: 123!) Vine St., I'liila., I'enna.; KITtenlionse 7124; Barney Stein, Publication Manager, Ted Itarlow, ( ir< illation Manaser. NKW YORK OFFICE: 509 KKO Bhlg., Boekefeller Center; COhinibus 5-212.1. Harry N. Blair. General Bu»ineHH >Ii:r.; Frank I.eyendeeker, .Staff KepreHentalive. WEST COAST OFFICE: (!23 (iuaranty Bide., fi33l Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, California: OI,vin|)ia <iO(iG. HIllHlde 2111; David Hanna, West Coaxt Editor. BOSTON OFFICE: 14 Piedmont Street: Bert Barclay. HubK Tiiitioii rate: ONE YEAK, $3.00 in the United States; Canada $4.00; Europe $5.00. TWO YEARS. $5.00 in the United States; Canada $7.50; Europe $9.00. Application pending entry as second class matter st the Philadelphia, Pa., Post Office.