Harrison's Reports (1945)

20 HARRISON'S REPORTS February 3, 1945 dependent, for one cannot exist without the facilities and the aid of the others. Consequently, for the W.P.B. to follow a system of rationing that gives one a decided advantage over the others is a violation, not only of the intent of rationing, but also of one of the basic principles of our democracy — free enterprise. The independent producers' survival is of vital importance to the exhibitors, for their creative efforts have been and still are a major force in the progress of motion picture production. Moreover, their pictures serve to create keener competition among the distributors. And the keener the competition the better off the exhibitors. It is to be hoped, therefore, that the War Production Board, awakened by the demands of the independent producers, will take the necessary steps to rearrange its present method of stock allocation so that the interests of all branches of the industry will be protected fully in accordance with war-time exigencies. * * * According to reports in the daily trade papers, the industry's advisory committee to the War Production Board on raw stock, which up to now has been comprised of distributor representatives only, has been enlarged to include representation for the independent producers as well as for the companies dealing with the distribution of reissues. This enlarged advisory committee was scheduled to meet with the WPB in Washington on February 1 regarding stock allocations for the first quarter of 1945. While the results of this meeting will not be known until after this paper has gone to press, it is a foregone conclusion that, because of pressure exerted by the new members on the committee, the WPB will re-arrange its method of allocating stock so as to give due consideration to the different interests the new committeemen represent. But where is exhibition? Why haven't the independent exhibitors, through their organizations, demanded representation on the advisory committee? The independent producers, having raised their voices in protest, were given representation on the committee quickly, and it goes without saying that their protests will bear fruit. As this paper pointed out in last week's editorial, the root of many of the abuses that beset exhibitors today lies, to a great extent, in the WPB's failure to regulate the producerdistributors' disposal of the stock allocated to them. The WPB will not go out of its way to protect the exhibitors' equity in rationed raw stock unless the exhibitors raise their voices and demand that their equity be protected by regulatory restrictions on the disposition of the stock. It is high time the exhibitors stopped complaining to themselves. There is still a moment left in which to take the complaint to Washington and make demands for recognition and representation in a matter that is vital to their business existence. MORE ON SPARING THE PUBLIC'S FEELINGS Hollywood's lack of consideration for the public's present troubled state of mind has prompted the Independent Theatre Owners of Northern California to issue the following statement in a bulletin dated January 19: "The big shots in Hollywood have no ears, except for their 'Yes Men.' They will not listen to their Customers, the Exhibitors, who in turn listen to their Customers, the Theatre-going public. Time and time again the Exhibitors personally, and through their Trade Papers, have asked and begged the Hollywood Big Shots to stop using the War as a background for their pictures and to eliminate the heart-rending, tear-jerking scenes, the general public has enough trouble of its own without going to our theatres and having its heart pulled out. Have they listened? Have they acted? Hell no, they go right on in their stupid way, hurting the Industry and driving Patrons out of our Theatres. We know numerous people who are staying out of the Theatres because they refuse to be continually hurt. If you think we are kidding, read this reprint from one of Walter Winchell's Columns of recent date. " 'A Cleveland reader writes: "I lost my own son less than four months ago in the Pacific. He was 19. I write to ask your help in getting the movie makers to omit certain episodes. Last week was the first time (since receiving our tragic news) that my husband and I went to a movie theatre. So we chose one we thought would give us a lift. It was 'American Romance.' The scene where the parents read the telegram from the War Department was almost more than I could bear, as it almost paralleled our own grief. Then we saw 'Janie' and it was full of similar misery for us all and, I am sure, other parents whose sons have been killed in action. Why doesn't the movie industry consider all of us and not open parent's wounds again and again?" ' "Exhibitors have to answer questions just like the above, and all we can say is 'The Fat Heads in Hollywood will not listen to us or you, the Public. When they preview their pictures the more you cry the better they like it, and they think their picture is a success!' Our advice should be, stay out of the Theatres until after the War. Making a profit on the misery of others is bad business. For the morale of the country Hollywood should produce only pictures that will lift up, not bear down." While Harrison's Reports does not condone the strong language this exhibitor organization has used to apprise the producers of their mistakes, it thoroughly agrees with its viewpoint. THE "BROWNOUT" ORDER Exhibitors who operate theatres in territories affected by the WPB's "brownout" order, which, until further notice limits the lighting of marquees to 60watts and bans entirely the use of all other exterior lighting, may obtain permission for greater illumination if they can prove that it is necessary for the public health or safety, or that the restriction places an unreasonable hardship on their operations. In seeking greater lighting because of public health or safety, a certificate to that effect must be obtained from the local fire, police or health department. For reasons of unreasonable hardship, a statement setting forth all the pertinent facts must be made in writing. The certificate and statement are to be sent to he nearest WPB field office. The WPB has warned that violators of the "brownout" order will be subject, not only to discontinuance of the electric service, but also to fine and imprisonment.