Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1945)

EDITORIALS Vol. 13, No. 5 3 M ARCH 5. 1945 They Can Count on America's Theatremen "To most oj us G. I.'s the American Red Cross was an organization to which we donated each year. We got a sticker for our front window and a little white pin with a red cross painted on it. I never wore mine — kid stuff, you know. . "Now the A. R. C. isn't just a sticker for our front window — a little white pin with a red cross painted on it. It's a lunch counter at an air strip, some doughnuts and ice cream from a circus truck, a club room for cards and games, entertainment and refreshments, a cheery face of a good American gal in a hospital ward tent, a guy who takes care of our troubles back in the States, a good place to eat in any Australian town, a dance or a golf match or harbor cruise in Sydney, a Christmas package in the jungle, a gift package to the guy captured at Bataan and Corregidor, a cute little blonde at the Katika Club." These sentiments about the Red Cross were expressed in the house organ of the 236th A. A. A. Searchlight Battalion, but most of us have heard them, in other words, from some boy dear to us, so we know what this great organization means to our gallant fighting men. March 15th through the 21st has been designated Motion Picture Industry Red Cross War Fund Week and in movie houses throughout the land, with hardly an exception, exhibitors will tell the story of the Red Cross and ask their patrons to give in the name of mercy. During this historic struggle for freedom, it has been typical that the theatremen of America assume the leadership in their communities for every worthy and patriotic cause. They seek no encomiums. The Red Cross drive, like the others, is just another important job that must be done for their country. They will do it. DECREE OR TRIAL Federal Judge Henry W. Goddard, who threatened to "knock together the heads" of the attorneys representing the Government and the Big Five in order to force them into a new consent decree, may be required to do just that, or face the alternative of fixing a date for the trial of the defendant distributors. When he convenes court this Monday, March 5th, to hear further arguments on modification of the original consent decree, Judge Goddard apparently will find the schism between the opposing sides wider than ever. The refusal of the counsel for the distributors to grant trade practice concessions to exhibitors and the determination of the Department of Justice to pursue theatre divorcement makes it appear unlikely that any equitable and interim decree can be effected. The court would hardly be justified in permitting the industry to remain in the state of suspension that has existed since the termination of the original decree more than a year ago. The fact must be faced by all parties — court, Government and defendants — that the industry must be stabilized to face the unpredict able post-war future. If there is no indication that a fair decree can be worked out without further delay, Judge Goddard owes it to the entire industry and to the public interest to set an early date for the trial. THE PARAMOUNT GOODWILL TOUR An avowed purpose, among others, of the recent nationwide tour of Paramount sales and advertising executives is the solicitation of exhibitor good wiil. The contingent, headed by Charles M. Reagan, vicepresident in charge of distribution, and Robert M. Gillham, director of advertising and publicity, has been taking the occasions of the regional sales meetings in each area visited to invite theatremen for lunch and an informal chat. There has been a striking absence of sales pressure or ballyhoo at these gatherings, the main purpose apparently being merely to stimulate friendly feeling between the exhibitors and Paramount. We can see no harm in such a gesture of cordiality. Both film and theatremen conceivably might benefit by i Continued on I\'ext Page* fILM BULLETIN, an Independent Motion Picture Trade Paper published e»ery other Monday by Film Bulletin Company. Mo Wax. Editor and Publisher. BUSINESS OFFICE: 509 RKO Building. Rockeleller Center, N. Y. 20. COIumbus 5-2125. PUBLICATION-EDITORIAL OFFICES: 1239 Vine Street. Philadelphia 7. Pa.. RITtenhouse 7424: Barney Stein. Publication Manager; Isobelle Wwner. Circulation Manager: Frank Leyendecker, Staff Representative. HOLLYWOOD OFFICE: 8580 Sunset Boule»ard, Hollyw:od 46. Calif.. CRestview 6-2061: Sara Salzer. Hollywood Correswn<ent. Subscription Rate: ONE YEAR, $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.