Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1945)

"PLEASE, MISTER" The plea of the child on the cover of this issue is directed to YOU, Mister Exhibitor. The tot is asking you to do your best for her and all the other children who have been stricken by infantile paralysis — and for those who some day might face that dread peril. Last year the motion picture exhibitors of America did a splendid job. Over four and one-half million dollars was collected and contributed by the theatres of the nation. President Roosevelt looks to our industry to do even better in the 1945 March of Dimes, January 25-3 I . What can be your answer to that child's plaintive plea but a sincere, heartfelt, "I will do my best". EDITORIALS Vol. 13, No. 2 7 JANUARY 22, 1 9 4 5 WHAT TOM CONNORS MIGHT SAY It was late that afternoon when we learned of the suggestion by Spyros Skouras and Tom Connors that they would like to attend the Allied board of directors' meeting in Columbus this week. The report had it that the 20th Century-Fox executives would address the independent organization's leaders at a dinner Wednesday night. As the sun was lowering the shades of dusk over the office windows, we sat in the half-light dozing with thoughts of what these film men might have to say to a group of independent exhibitors. All manner of conjectures were popping in and out. Was there to be some new, radical sales policy promulgated? Was 20thFox seeking to usurp Leo's status as the "friendly" fellow of the industry? Or, was it to be merely a goodwill gesture? The thoughts went whirling around In the dimness, but nothing seemed clear — until, suddenly, there we were at the festive board in Columbus, an undesired reporter, listening to Mr. Skouras, the President, plumb in the middle of his brief speech. "And, furthermore, gentleman, it has always been the sincere aim of 20th Century-Fox to be fair to our customers, as well as to ourselves. "Most of you are familiar with the recent action of Mr. Connors in notifying his sales organization to heed any exhibitor's claim of over-charging and to grant adjustments when justified. You might be acquainted, too, with the fact that I supplemented Tom's action with the following statement to our branch managers: " 'Immediately that you are presented with a complaint, and you are convinced of the justification of the exhibitor's attitude, prompt action should be taken by you by handing him a check, or giving him a credit, as the case may be.' "I am sure, my friends of Allied, that this voluntary move by us will convince you that our company desires most of all to enjoy the good will of its customers, to deal with them on a basis of honesty and fair play, and that we will leave no stone unturned to earn the friendship of the independent exhibitors. "And now it is my pleasure to turn you over to our vice-president in charge of distribution, who will tell you just how we intend to attain our goal of friendship with the theatremen of America. Gentlemen, Tom Connors!" Big, broad-shouldered Tom rises slowly, mien serious. But, as he looks over the small audience, his luxuriant Lewisian eyebrows raise and his face breaks into a pleasant smile. "I guess I'm a bad boy to a lot of exhibitors!" And his inflection really makes it sound like Lou Costello's classic line. One of the Allied leaders mutters a subdued, "You're not kidding!" which everyone, including Connors, hears, and they all laugh. But the meeting quickly resumes its serious tone and Connors continues. "The president of my company told you quite plainly that our foremost desire is to earn the good will and respect of our customers, deal with them on a basis of honesty and fair play. Gentlemen, we mean that so sincerely that I am going to start at a new beginning — to admit our mistakes and wrongs of the past, and to make an honest effort to avoid them in the future. "The charge has been made that 20th Century-Fox has been guilty of 'profiteering' by over-allocating many of our pictures during the past two seasons. It has been alleged that we have taken advantage of the product-jam brought on by the wartime boom in first(Continued on Next Page) FILM BULLETIN, an Independent Motion Picture Trade Paper published every other Monday by Film Bu'letin Company. Mo Wax. Editor and Publisher. BUSINESS OFFICE: 509 RKO Building. ■otkefeMer Center, N. Y. 20, COIumbos 5-2125. PUBLICATION-EDITORIAL OFFICES: 1239 Vine Street, Philadelphia 7. Pa., RITtenhoese 7424; Barney Stein. Publication Manager; Isotellt Wtener, Circulation Manager; Frank Leyendecker, Staff Representative. HOLLYWOOD OFFICE: 8580 Sunset Boulevard. Hollywood 46. Calif.. CRestview 6-2061: Sara Sal«r. Hollywood Correspondent Subscription Rate: ONE YEAR, $3.00 in the United States; Canada, $4.00; Europe, J5.0 0. TWO YEARS. S5.00 in the United States; Canada. $7.50; Europe, $9.00.