Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1945)

THE NEWS DIGEST [Continued from Page 10) give them sufficient time to study the answers and prepare their case. John R. Niesley. representing the Government in place of Robert L. Wright, revealed that for the past six weeks Government representatives have been interviewing independent exhibitors whose testimony will be the principal feature of the Government's case. This testimony, said Niesley, has not yet been assimilated and the Government would be "tipping its hand" by revealing the information sought by the companies. The Judge, however, disagreed with Niesley. pointing out that the defendants could properly ask for a postponement of the trial if the information is not received in time to prepare a defense. N. E. ARBITRATION CASE "OF INTEREST* An arbitration case deemed to be of "unusual interest" to exhibitors by National Allied was filed in the Boston Tribunal by the Atlantic Amusement Co.. operating the Empire Theatre in Fall River, Mass., charging refusal by RKO to license "It's a Pleasure" for exhibition in the Empire. Allied called the case "of unusual interest to exhibitors who operate two or more theatres, to circuits and to co-operative combines," and felt that it "should go far toward deciding whether the distributors or the exhibitors are going to operate the independent motion picture theatres." The complaint, said Allied, charged that RKO refused to license the film for the Empire, insisting that it go into the larger Durfee Theatre. Although each theatre is legally owned by a different corporation, both are under common stock ownership. There is no dispute over the terms, which are the same in all key situations, stated the bulletin. "But because of its larger seating capacity. RKO insists that the picture be shown in the Durfee and refuses to license it to the Empire." Allied felt that the proceedings will be "followed closely by all exhibitors who at some time or other have sought pictures for one of several theatres and have been told they must buy for all, as well as those who have been denied the right to say in which of several theatres a particular picture shall be shown." Nathan Yamins, head of both companies, received praised from Allied for his prosecution of the case. The bulletin added, "It is a pity that more exhibitors have not made use of the arbitration system to record the grievances of which they so bitterly complain in private." ATROCITY NEWSREELS AROUSE PUBLIC Atrocity films depicting unspeakable horrors in German concentration and prison camps, notably Buchenwald, Ohrdruf, Hadamar and Nordhausen, comprising the major portion of last week's newsreels, caused a violent and not unmixed reaction, both in the industry and among theatre audiences. In some quarters, it was felt that the films were too ghastly for average moviegoers and should be greatly deleted or not shown at all, but the general reaction, both in industry and audience, THANK YOU for your cooperation in the handling of film. It is working out swell. NOW SAVE PAPER This is an important War Effort. Return posters sent to you in error. Do not throw them aside. Return all posters properly marked, labeled and wrapped. Don't throw them loose in the lobby. YOU DO YOUR PART! WE'LL DO OURS! HIGHWAY EXPRESS UNES, INC. 236 N. 23rd St. 1239 Vine St. 1225 Vine St. Philadelphia 7, Penna. LOCust 4311 was that the atrocity newsreels must be seen by theatre audie throughout the country and the world to forestall possible pi. feeling for a "soft peace" by exposing the Nazi beast in his form. A protest against municipal censorship of "Maidanek D>\ Factory," an Artkino film scheduled to open Friday. May 4, at Telenews Theatres in Detroit, was lodged by Local 199 opera s after a cut was made in the film by local police censor. The tion showed a hanging and was made in line with the usual pc t of cutting scenes showing violent death. Protest was based on e fact that the War Department had passed the entire film. All five newsreels featured the atrocities, according them I proximately 70 per cent of the 700 feet allotted per issue, balance was devoted to news of the San Francisco Confere PARAMOUNT PROFITS NEW HIGH Earnings of Paramount Pictures, Inc., for the fiscal year e ing December 30. 1944 topped its previous year's record high S16.140.821 by S347.285. a grand total of $16,488,106 after deduci all charges including interest, taxes, depreciation and $1,500 additional reserve for contingencies. Operating profit before ductions for interest, Federal taxes, depreciation, etc., was ; 389,485.16. Federal income and excess profits taxes were • 879,816.51. Gross income from theatre receipts, film rentals, s: of film accessories and rentals reached $153,244,034.50 for the y> Paramount estimated its earnings for the first quarter en March 31, 1945, at $4,007,000 after interest and all charges incl ing estimated provision for all Federal normal and excess pre taxes. This compares with estimated earnings for the sim period last year of $3,814,000. 20TH-FOX TOPS '43 NET Consolidated net profit of 20th Century-Fox for the 53 we ended December 30, 1944, was $12,480,491, after all charges, incl ing Federal income and excess profits taxes and voting-contro subsidiaries, including National Theatres Corp. and Roxy TheaL Inc. This compares with $10,901,768 for the 52 operating weji in 1943. Gross income from sales and rentals of film, together v i theatre receipts, totaled $172,624,529 in 1944 compared to $1 • 345,949 in 1943. Income from film rentals and theatre admissi ii reached the highest point in the company's history, the rep^ pointed out. PEOPLE Frank C. Walker, Comerford Circuit president, tendered S resignation as Postmaster General to President Truman and \f succeeded by Robert E. Hannegan, chairman of the Democrsl National Committee. Walker is expected to resume active dii tion of the chain. Maurice Bergman, Universal Eastern director of Advertis : and Publicity, was named chairman of the War Activities Cc mittee public relations division. Charles C Moskowitz, first vi president of Loew's, Inc., was elected to the chairmanship of New York WAC, succeeding Fred Schwartz, resigned to take duties in Europe with the Office of War Information. Henry Blanke, Warner Bros, producer, was signed to a year contract with the company, probably the longest term d in industry history. Blanke has been with Warners since IS C. C. Ryan, purchasing agent for Warner exchanges, and ht of the company's advertising accessories department, died Sunc (6th) at 65. He had been with the company since 1924. Theodore Hays, 78, pioneer theatre manager, died Saturd (5th) in Minneapolis. He had been in show business since li and was known as the father of show business in the Northwe initiating the showing of motion pictures in Minnesota. GET SET FOR THE BIG 7TH WAR LOAN! NEW JERSEY MESSENGER SERVICE Mrmbrr NatT Film Carrl*f» 250 N. JUNIPER ST. Philadelphia, Pa. 26 FILM BULLETI