The Film Daily (1941)

10 C HAlJLLb M PP &I3A 2 H W. 44 T N . Y. t. PLtT I JOHN S T ST F L W DAILY Wednesday, November 12, 194, Cole Sends Out SOS For Small Exhibs (Continued from Page 1) amount to 35 to 50 per cent of the gross receipts. "Motion picture exhibitors," Col. Cole said, "are a class of merchants whose resale prices are fixed. Unlike the merchandiser of tangible goods, he cannot mark up his retail prices in keeping with the charge the distributor makes on his invoice." Average Weekly Receipts Known Col. Cole declared, however, that the exhibitor does know what his average weekly receipts are, as well as the maximum receipts on a smash hit. The exhibitor, Col. Cole said, is in a position to determine what his fixed weekly costs are, and his principal expenses can be cumulated in half a dozen or more accounts, such as payroll, supplies, utilities, depreciation, etc. Continuing, the Colonel said: "The total of these expense items deducted from his average or estimated receipts gives him a figure that combines his film rental and profit, if any. For instance, a house that has a fixed expense of $75 per week and a maximum weekly receipts of $125 cannot hope to pay 35 per cent for a feature picture, unless the exhibitor is satisfied with $6.25 for his weekly profit. "Allied has a large number of members who operate theaters in small cities and the problem of film rentals is a serious one with these exhibitors. It is endeavoring to assist these exhibitors to reach a better understanding of their own cost of operation. "A printed form 8%" x 11", setting out the necessary accounts for the exhibitors to fill in the figures to render an accurate weekly cost of operation is being distributed to Allied members. A number of these sheets were filled out and returned to the office previous to the convention and were used as a basis of round-table discussions. Must Know Cost of Operation "From the ones returned, it was patent that the small town exhibitor, in numerous instances, didn't know the cost of operation of his theater. Until he does, he cannot properly budget the amount of money he can WEDDING BELLS Newark, N. J. — Margot Crangle, vaudeville headliner and Ed Sniderman, manager of RKO-Proctor's here, have written "happy ending" to a five-year cross-country and trans-Atlantic courtship. They were married by Mayor Vincent Murphy. Cleveland— Mildred Roth of Columbia will become the bride of Marvin Patterson on Dec. 28. A reception at the Statler Hotel will follow the marriage ceremony. WHO'S WHO IN HOLLYWOOD • • • Introducing Interesting Personalities • • • BENJAMIN GLAZER, Producer. Born in Belfast Robert and Riva Glazer. Educ. in America University of Pennsylvania Law School. Practiced years. Wrote short stories, plays and adaptations. Plays and adaptations include "The Master," "Thy Name Is Woman," "Liliom," "The Swan," "Fashions For Men" and "Fifth Column." Just finished writing and producing his first inodependent production "Paris Calling" starring Elisabeth Bergner, Randolph Scott and Basil Rathbone. Plans further pictures for Miss Bergner and other stars. Specialized in writing and producing women's roles for screen, among the notable ones "The Merry Widow" with Mae Murray; "Flesh and the Devil" and "Mata Hari" starring Greta Garbo; "Seventh Heaven" for Janet Gaynor; "A Farewell to Arms" with Helen Hayes. Was a writer and producer at Paramount for ten years. Won two Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Awards for writing "Seventh Heaven" and "Arise My Love." Ireland, May, 1891, son of at Central High School and law in Philadelphia for six FPC to Open Capitol, Fort William, Nov. 21 Toronto — The last theater to be erected by Famous Players Canadian during the present war is the Capitol at Fort William, which is scheduled to open Nov. 21 many weeks after the original date because of the difficulty in obtaining materials and equipment. It was started early this year before the Dominion Government placed a ban, last May, on the construction of further buildings costing more than $10,000 as a war measure. The new Capitol will be serviced from Winnipeg. pay weekly for film rentals. Hence he becomes an easy target for emotional selling. "This condition poses a question to the motion picture industry, namely, 'Can the industry allow these small town houses to close because of borderline profit operations?' Aside from the economic waste of their closing, on which human selfishness dictates 'thumbs down,' there's another angle. These small town theaters are in effect the 'knothole gangs' of the super houses in the cities. "There was a time when the film industry had little competition for the customer's entertainment dollar. That cream has been skimmed. We are now down to the milk. For example, bowling, soft ball, night spots, skating rinks, and even in the Southwest hockey, just to mention a few are offering competition for the customer's dollar. "Thought must be given to building motion picture patronage. Small town theaters in several hundred Texas towns are conditioning: thousands of future citizens of the big towns either for or against motion picture entertainment. When they move to the cities, as they are doing every year, they'll be super house patrons, providing they have had the opportunity of seeing good pictures at the crossroads." 20th-Fox Guild Votes For CIO Affiliation ( Continued from Page 1 ) ployees Guild (UOPWA-CIO), it was announced yesterday. While no vote was announced, officials of the Guild described the balloting as almost unanimous. The Guild claims to have more than a majority of 20th-Fox home office employes enrolled. The 20th-Fox Guild is the third home office employes indie union to okay CIO affiliation. Metro and Columbia groups acted earlier. Local 109, it is understood, is now engaged in organizing RKO Radio employes on its own. SPG to Hear Results of CIO Affiliation Ballot Results of the New York Screen Publicists Guild referendum on CIO affiliation will not be announced until tomorrow's monthly membership meeting, it was indicated yesterday. While the ballots cast in the mail poll were scheduled to be counted on Monday night, following a postponement from Saturday, it was found necessary to defer the tally until yesterday. Affiliation, if voted, will be with Local 109, Screen, Office and Professional Employes Guild. Fisher Succeeds Harris Edward J. Fisher has been appointed advertising and publicity rep. of Loew's four Cleveland theaters, succeeding J. H. Harris, who has resigned to enter the U. S. Army Air Corps as an instructor. Fisher has been for several years a UA exploiteer in the Cleveland territory. Rogell on "Moon Struck" West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Albert S. Rogell hap been signed by Republic to direc' "Moon Struck," a Judy Canova vehicle, formerly titled "Chatterbox.' Albert J. Cohen production to go before the cameras Dec. 5. Para. Terms in Minn Not Excessive-Agnew ( Continued ffom Page 1 ) nied yesterday by Neil Agnew, ger.l eral sales manager. Terms being offered Minnesota ex ; hibitors are no different from thos offered to theater owners in otha> states, Agnew said. Product is b^ ing sold for what it is worth and cl fit the individual exhibitor and sit uation, he insisted. Members of Northwest Allied at i meeting last week declared Para mount was being unreasonabl since it resumed selling in the state It was asserted at the session tha Paramount was offering two picture. at 50 per cent, four at 40 per cen and two at 35 per cent. Agnew': answer to the charge was that ; general sales policy was not a subjec for an official announcement. Meanwhile, Judge Henry W. God dard on Friday is expected to gran Warner Bros.' application for relie from selling in Minnesota under th< terms of the New York consen decree. Mitchell Succeeds Pope Cleveland — George Mitchell ha: been named publicity director foi the local RKO theaters. He sue ceeds Clem Pope who was appoint ed district manager at the time ol Nat Holt's promotion to the Wesl Coast. A. J. Mason Loses Election Springhill, N. S. — A. J. Mason, veteran owner of the Capitol here, was the only film exhibitor seeking votes in the provincial elections for the legislature. He was defeated as a Liberal candidate in Cumberland County. Win. Barron Joins Para. Toronto — Win. Barron has been, appointed manager of the film pub licity department of Paramount Film Service, Ltd., with office in Toronto. Barron returned from Europe a short time ago after seiving as a news correspondent. OUT OF UNIFORM Indianapolis — Abe Baker, former Columbia booker here, has been discharged from the Army, and has" rejoined the local exchange's booking staff. Jack Dowd, corporal with the 5th anti-tank battalion, Ft. Custer, Mich., has also received his discharge from the Army and has rejoined the booking staff at Warners exchange here. Dallas — Fred McFadden, who was connected with the publicity department of the Interstate Circuit, has been released from the U. S. Army and will be back at his old post after a short vacation.