Harrison's Reports (1953)

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January 3, 1953 HARRISON’S REPORTS 3 PROTECT YOURSELF With the announcement by the National Production Authority of the end of its 26'month ban on theatre and other recreational construction, John L. Haynes, director of the NPA’s Building Materials Division, predicted last week that an estimated $250,000,000 would be spent during 1953 for the building of theatres, bowling alleys, skating rinks, swimming pools, playgrounds and other places of recreation. The lifting of the recreation construction ban no doubt will result in a marked increase in the number of drive-in theatres. The established indoor theatre owner would do well to check up on the possibility of drive-in competition in his situation, if it doesn’t already exist, with a view toward investing in such a project himself before an outsider grasps the opportunity. SQUEEZING OUT THE LAST DROP What appears to be a new low in film rental demands is reported by Charlie Jones, secretary of Allied Caravan of Iowa and Nebraska, in his December 16 organizational bulletin. This is what he had to say: “Leopards never change their spots and the film companies never stop trying to nickle and dime you to death. Latest gimmick: Warners wants a 25c increase in the cost of trailers. Some places only colored trailers. Exhibitors who go for this gouge will just mcrease their overheads in the face of falling grosses. Some members report that after resisting this they bought their trailers at the same old price. “And why not? Surely Warners are not going to hinge the sale of a picture on an extra two bits for the trailer. We strongly urge not to budge an inch for anyone who wants to add one lousy cent to the cost of anything you buy for the time being. We’ve reached the saturation point on expenses. Surely, film companies, film carriers, equipment manufacturers and even janitors must realize that we cannot add pennies and dollars to our overhead any longer. “We know we can’t pass it on to the public in higher prices. Falling grosses already signify that the public no longer has as many bucks as they used to have. Again we urge you, we exhort you, we entreat you to resist anything that adds one cent to your overhead or your film rental. Theatres continue to close, exhibitors continue to take on part-time jobs and people want more money from the theatres. It’s ridiculous.” MILWAUKEE SITE OF NATIONAL DRIVE-IN CONVENTION Plans are now under way for a National Drive-In Theatre Convention, to be held at the Schroeder Hotel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, March 24, 25 and 26, under the auspices of the Allied Independent Theatre Owners of Wisconsin. The announcement concerning this convention emphatically states that it is strictly for drive-in theatre owners, whether or not affiliated with Allied. Those desiring reservations should write to the National Drive-In Convention Headquarters, 1027 Wells Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. ORDER YOUR MISSING COPIES During the Holidays, when the mail is so heavy, one or two of your copies of Harrison’s Reports may have gone astray. Look into your files and if you find the copy of any issue missing, write to this office and it will be supplied to you free of charge. A sufficient number of copies of many back issues is kept in stock for just such a purpose. KIND WORDS FROM OUR READERS VICTORY THEATRE Toronto, N.S.W., Australia 29th, October, 1952 Harrison’s Reports 1270 Sixth Avenue New York 20, U.S.A. Dear Sirs: Enclosed herewith please find dollar draft being for renewal of my subscription to your paper. I take this opportunity of saying that I find your Reports most helpful, and are of great assistance to us in buying product. Editorials discussing problems of the trade are most interesting, and of considerable assistance to the Australian exhibitor in general. Many thanks. Yours faithfully, (signed) P. Crethary * * * NATIONAL SCREEN SERVICE 624 West Grand Avenue Oklahoma City 2, Okla. November 5, 1952 Harrison’s Reports 1270 Sixth Avenue New York 20, N. Y. Gentlemen : ... We consider your reviews very helpful to us in predetermining outstanding attractions, so that we may more carefully watch our stock of material to determine the requirements needed for the theatres. . . . Sincerely, (signed) Gilbert Clark * * * FISKE THEATRE Oak Grove, La. December 10, 1952 Mr. P. S. Harrison Harrison’s Reports 1270 Sixth Avenue New York, N. Y. Dear Mr. Harrison: Please advise whether you can send me a complete set of your Reports for 1952. I always keep your Reports for ten years back in my office for ready reference at any time and I find them very valuable. I believe I have been a subscriber for the past twenty years and I couldn’t and wouldn’t try to buy and book pictures without them. The reason I desire another complete set of the 1952 Reports is that I want my drive-in manager to have them in his office. Also, please enter a subscription to your Reports to be sent to — Lake Drive-In Theatre, Lake Providence, Louisiana. Also, please forward a binder to Lake Drive-In. Yours very truly, (signed) Donald B. Fiske