Harrison's Reports (1930)

184 HARRISON’S REPORTS November 15, 1930 FIRST NATIONAL ROAD SHOW PICTURES Like that of Warner Bros., the First National Franchise contains a Road Show clause that obligates the company to show big pictures in New York City, in Chicago, and in one other key city at advanced admission prices, on a basis of two shows a day, before it can classify them as road shows. ■‘Sally,” “Paris,” “Son of the Gods,” “Song of the Flame,” "No, No Nanette,” and “Bride of the Regiment,” were shown as road shows in New York City, but not in Chicago; therefore are not “Road Shows,” in accordance with the franchise’s provisions. I don’t know whether “Dawn Patrol” was roadshown in Chicago ; it was in this city. But w lietlier it was or it was not, the picture is a road show by its own rights ; it is too good to be shown on an}’ other basis. Of this year’s product, none has yet been shown in this city as a road show. ‘’Road to Paradise,” “Numbered Men,” “Top Speed,” “The Way of all Men,” “The Bad Man,” and “Girl of the Golden West,” have been shown in this city as “grind” pictures. “Bright Lights,” “Scarlet Pages,” “College Lovers” and “One Night at Susie’s” have not yet been shown in this city; but they have been shown in other cities, as “grind” pictures. As in the case of Warner Bros., so with First National pictures; their classifications will be noted in the reviews. WARNER BROS. ROAD SHOW PICTURES It was explained repeatedly in these columns that the later Warner Bros, franchise contains the Road Show clause modified ; it provides that a picture that is .shown either in New York City or in any other city or town in the L’nited States is a road show picture, so long as it is shown at advanced prices, on a basis of two shows a day. Exhibitors holding a franchise with the modified clause must accept as road shows any pictures so handled. But those who hold a franchise with the original clause are not obligated to accept as a road show any picture, unless it has been shown in the main theatrical district of New York City, in Chicago, and in one other key city, as a road show ; that is. on a basis of two shows a day. at advanced admission prices. fOld subscribers mav read the article. “LOOK OUT FOR THE REFORMED ROAD SHOW CLAUSE IN THE WARNER BROS. FRANCHISE,” which appeared in the issue of September 28. 1929.) In the article, “AGAIN ABOUT THE WARNER BROS. ROAD SHOW PICTURES.” which was printed in the issue of August 16. this year, it was stated that “Honky Tonk,” “Say it With Songs,” “Disraeli.” “Show of Shows,” “General Crack.” “The Green Goddess,” “Hold Everything.” “Song of the West,” “The Man From Blankley’s,” and “Mammy,” were shown in New York City as road shows, in accordance with the provisions of the original Road Show clause ; but because they were not so shown in Chicago, thev are not road shows, and no exhibitor holder of a franchise with the original clause was obligated to accept them as road shows. In fact, Warner Bros, did not show even a single picture of the ^9-^9'3^ group as a road show picture in accordance with the Road Show provision. (“Rough Waters,” “Courage,” “The Golden Dawn,” “Recaptured loive,” and “Sweet Kitty Bellairs,” were shown in New York City as regular pictures, on an all-day-long grind basis.) Oi this year's product, only “Moby Dick,” “Old English” and Outward Bound” were shown in New i ork City as road shows ; but as they were not so shown in Chicago, they are not road shows in accordance with the Road Show provision in the franchise; therefore, no exhibitor that holds a franchise with the unmodified clause need accept them as such. “May Be It’s Love,” “Sinner’s Holiday,” “Doorway to Hell,” have been shown at the Strand Theatre, this city, as regular attractions. Warner Bros, cannot, therefore, foist them on you as road show pictures. “Big Boy” has been shown in this city as a road show picture for only one week. This is contrary to the Road Show’ provision, which recjuires roadshowing for at least four weeks. Warner Bros, cannot, therefore, assert that it is a road showpicture. In addition, it has not been shown in Chicago as a road show. In the future, the classification of each Warner Bros, picture will be noted in the review. THE PHILADELPHIA FARCE MOTION PICTURE THEATRE OW NERS Ob .AMERICA, once the pride of the Independent exhibitors, now the shame, is holding its convention in Philadelphia this week. Great efforts are exerted to hallyhoo it so as to impress the independent exhibitors and even dazzle them. The backers of it have invited prominent persons in social as well as political life to address the convention, so that they may have stories with big headlines in the trade papers, extolling its virtues and pointing out to the good it has accomplished. The officers of M. P. T. O. A. are bent upon preventing a repetition of last year's farce, when at the convention only about one hundrred exhibitors presented themr selves. For the information of those exhibitors that are new’ in the business, Harrison’s Reports desires to .say that Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America does not represent independent exhibitor sentiment ; it is an organization that has in its membership producers and distributors. And such an organization cannot work for the interest of the independent exhibitors, for in any question that affects the welfare of the producers you will find AI. P. T. O. -A. lined up w’ith the producer side. There is no question in my mind that there are some independent exhibitors who are members of M. P. T. O. A. out of a belief that much good can result to the independent exhibitors from a cooperation with the producer-distributors. Harrison’s Reports, how’ever, does not accept such a theory, because it know’s that AI. P. T. O. .A. has been taken bv the Hays organization under its wing. .And nothing that is sponsored by the Havs organization can be of anv benefit to the independent exhibitors. Experience has .so proved.