Harrison's Reports (1930)

156 September 27, 1930 HARRISON’S REPORTS no one knew what he would get after he bought the Fox product. Of the forty-eight pictures, the following will be musical comedies: “Just Imagine,” and “Movietone Follies of 1931.” “Oh, for a Man!” is described in a trade paper insert as a “Romantic Musical Comedy”; and “Woman Control,” “Her Kind of Man,” and “The Red Sky,” as three musical romances. “Man Who Came Back” is described as a drama in color ; “Dance numbers staged by Seymour Felix” is the description made of “She Wears The Pants”; and “Lyrics and Music by William Kernell” is said of “Prince and Plumber” ; but the description is not enough to enable one to determine whether these are going to be musical comedies, operettas, or straight dramas. • So far, 1 have seen seven pictures of the new product ; they are all good. Whether these are representative of the entire product, however, must be determined by you. STARS ; The Fox Film Corporation is offering the following stars: Will Rogers, Warner Baxter, Janet Gaynor, Charles Farrell, Victor McLaglen, Edmund Lowe, George O’Brien, and many of lesser magnitude. John McCormack is not proving a drawing card, as it was hoped he would be; “Song o’ My Heart” is not standing up in many spots. He is too old to be of any interest to the young generation, despite his popularity as a singer. Metro-Gold wyn-Mayer M-G-M is selling fifty-two pictures this season. Of these, thirty-two are sold in star series, fourteen as “Special Attractions,” and six as “Golden Opportunities.” Naturally no stories or authors are given with the star pictures ; but there is a story with each “Golden Opportunity” and with each “Special Attraction,” with the exception of only one of the latter class — “The March of Time.” In the “Special Attractions” list, there are two musical shows: “The March of Time,” which is described as a musical revue, with an all-star cast, and “Likely Kelly Can.” In the “Golden Opportunities” list, “Good News,” “Naughty Marietta,” and possibly “Madame Satan,” will be musical shows. Of the new season’s product, so far only “Good News,” which is only a fair entertainment, and “Call of the Flesh” (“Singer of Seville”), which is a very good entertainment, have been shown. STARS: M-G-M is offering the following stars: William Haines, Joan Crawford. Marion Davies, Norma Shearer, Ramon Novarro, John Gilbert, Greta Garbo, Lawrence Tibbett, Buster Keaton, and Marie Dressier and Polly Moran, as a comedy team. {To he continued next week) THE FACTS ABOUT ALLIED IN ST. LOUIS Two weeks ago last Monday the exhibitors of St. Louis held their annual convention, but only three e.xhibitors presented themselves. The meeting was postponed for Tuesday afternoon, but only five additional exhibitors appeared. There was another postponement, for Wednesday morning, but no additional exhibitors came. In desperation, Fred Wehrenberg opened the convention with himself and seven other exhibitors present, called the meeting to order, transacted whatever business a convention is supposed to transact on such occasions, allowed some visitors to make speeches, elected himself President again, and adjourned. One report has it that M. A. Lightman, President of Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America, otherwise known as the Hays branch of exhibitor organization, made a speech. Evidently he told them not to fail to attend the convention next year, to the glory of M. P. T. O. A. The failure of the St. Louis Zone exhibitors to attend the convention can be attributed to nothing else but the fact that PTed Wehrenberg is one of those exhibitor leaders who would rather “ride along with Mr. Hays” than with the independent exhibitors, whom he is supposed to represent in that territory. And the proof of it is the fact that some of the conscientious exhibitors of that zone came together and formed a new organization, to affiliate itself with Allied States Association of Motion Picture Exhibitors. When Wehrenberg heard that independent exhibitors broke away from his organization and formed a new organ ization, to be independent in deed as well as in word, he became upset and issued a statement condemning the new move. “'Hie so-called Allied invasion of St. Louis,” he said, “will have no effect on the motion picture theatre owners organization. Instead of calling a meeting of their own, Stettes and his crowd stole in on another man's party.” Harrison’s Reports has authentic information to the effect that Steffes and “his crowd” did not steal in on Fred Wehrenberg’s party. But whether he did or not, Fred Wehrenberg has a gall to condemn any one. Evidently his memory is too short, and Harrison’s Reports is going to the trouble of refreshing it: Last July, Allied States called a meeting in Washington for the purpose of discussing means and ways by which relief could be given to the independent exhibitors. I am sure you remember that at that time the score charge was exorbitant, and the film rentals were driving exhibitors into bankruptcy. Realizing that such a desire was universal in character. Allied States left pride to one side and invited every leader affiliated with Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America, even though they had no reason to expect real co-operation from the representatives of an organization that were, and still are, neither fish nor fowl. All the M. P. T. O. A. leaders accepted the invitation. But instead of attending the Allied meeting, they held a meeting of their own, on the same day, at the same hour, and at the same hotel. After their meeting, they issued a statement to the newspapers denouncing Allied States and making it appear as if they had bolted. Let me say this to you, that up to the time of their meeting there was no disagreement expressed by any of the M. P. T. O. A. leaders ; none of them had approached an> of the Allied leaders to make a suggestion, or to offer an argument, in an effort to point out any wrong policy on the part of Allied. The act of the M. P. T. O. A. leaders was, of course, condemned even by sympathizers of M. P. T. O. A., as being the lowest, vilest, dirtiest, most contemptible act that one man could do to another. .A.nd Fred Wehrenberg was one of those who took part in it. If Fred Wehrenberg had any respect for himself, he would step out and let the independent exhibitors of his zone organize in such a way as to serve their interests best. He has already had proof of the dissatisfation his leadership has caused. W. A. Steffes, H. M. Richey, and A. H. Cole did not “steal in” on his party ; they were invited to go to St. Louis. And they were welcomed there by the real independent e.xhibitors, who are looking forward to the day when their territory will be rid of Fred Wehrenberg. THE PRODUCERS SHOULD AVOID DARK SCENES Since the advent of the talking pictures, the e.xhibitors are confronted with the problem of dark scenes in pictures. They have a tough time getting the proper amount of light through a dark film, with the result that patrons are complaining. The big circuits are able to overcome this defect by using a particular kind of carbon. But the small exhibitors cannot avail themselves of this facility, for the reason that the cost for the use of such carbons is more than they can bear — at least fifteen dollars a week. In other industries, the manufacturer pays close attention to the needs of his customers. In this industry, the producers are not so prompt in responding to the suggestions from customers. Harrison’s Reports, however, hopes that this time they will show a better spirit of co-operation. PROVIDE IN THE CONTRACT FOR THE DEDUCTION OF THE COST OF PREMIUMS Many exhibitors are giving out premiums to increase their business. If you are one of such e.xhibitors and are contemplating signing a contract to play the pictures on a percentage basis, you should insert in the contract a provision allowing you to deduct the cost of the premiums and the express charges for them. There is no reason why every distributor should not agree to the insertion of such a provision in the contract. Premiums are a benefit to their pictures. In the Philadelphia Zone, M’arner Bros, has already agreed to such a provision.