Harrison's Reports (1949)

Entered as second-class matter January 4, 1921, at the post office at New York, New York, under the act of March 3, 1879. Harrison's Reports Yearly Subscription Rates: 1270 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS Published Weekly by United States $15.00 (Formerly Sixth Avenue) Harrison s Reports, Inc., U. S. Insular Possessions. 16.50 v I on w v Publisher Canada 16.50 New York 20, IN. I. p g jjARRISON, Editor Mexico, Cuba, Spain 16.50 A Motion Picture Reviewing Service Great Britain 17.50 Devoted Chiefly to the Interests of the Exhibitors Established July 1 1919 Australia, New Zealand, India, Europe, Asia .... 17.50 Ug Editoria, Policy. No Problem Too Big for Its Editorial Circle 7-4622 35c a Copy Columns, if It is to Benefit the Exhibitor. A REVIEWING SERVICE FREE FROM THE INFLUENCE OF FILM ADVERTISING Vol. XXXI SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1949 No. 6 HOW TO ANTAGONIZE FRIENDS AND INFLUENCE BOYCOTTS The following article, reprinted from an Allied Caravan Bulletin, was published in the January 28 issue of "Theatre Facts," the organisational bulletin of the Associated Theatre Owners of Indiana: "Republic sold two John Wayne specials on the 1947-48 contract. These pictures were used as bait to secure exhibitor deals for the rest of the product. During the releasing year which according to the contract ended on June 30, 1948, Republic did not re' lease either of the John Wayne pictures sold. "Now the company has WAKE OF THE RED WITCH, with John Wayne, ready for distribution. Instead of releasing this picture to the exhibitors who bought 1947-48 contracts, the company is reselling the picture as a special. "If Republic persists in this type of business conduct, it probably will find that exhibitors will buy its pictures one at a time, and will only buy those pictures which are suitable for exhibition in the particular theatres. "Additionally, representatives of Republic are advising some exhibitors that THE PLUNDERERS (1947-48 Release No. 721) will not be delivered on that contract because it is in color. Why this attitude is assumed nobody knows and nobody can explain, but it probably goes hand in hand with the attempt to resell WAKE OF THE RED WITCH. "It was just this type of tactics by the major distributors which outraged exhibitors into attacking and upsetting the practice of compulsory blockbooking." Another complaint against Republic is registered in a recent bulletin issued by Pete Wood, secretary of the Independent Theatre Owners of Ohio. Mr. Wood, too, states that Republic made a lot of promises in their 1947-48 contract but fell far short of the mark in delivering. In addition to pointing out that the two John Wayne pictures promised have not been delivered, Mr. Wood states: "Three William Elliotts were promised, but only two have been delivered. "Six Roy Rogers were sold, but only four have been delivered. We understand that 'Far Frontier' will be released on December 29 as the first 1948-49 Rogers. (Ed. N.ote: "The Far Frontier" is listed as releasel<[o. 841 on the 1948-49 program.) "Republic sold six Monte Hale westerns in Trucolor and delivered only one ('Son of God's Country') and that in black and white. "The above are just a few of the broken promises of Republic, which policy is now a well established one with this company. "Exhibitors are again warned that Republic is quite undependable when it comes to delivering what they promise in their contract." Before commenting on this matter, Harrison's Reports, in fairness to Republic, communicated with its home office in New York to ascertain just what, if anything, the company planned to do about the undelivered pictures. "No comment," was the reply of Mr. James R. Grainger, Republic's general sales manager. Since Mr. Grainger has not denied the charges against his company, it becomes apparent that he is either ignoring the issue or can offer no defense for what is obviously a flagrant breach of faith with its customers. This writer does not have available a copy of Republic's 1947-48 contract, but he assumes that it runs true to form and that Republic, in not delivering what it had promised, has protected itself against legal liability. But the mere fact that it is protected legally does not relieve Republic of the moral obligation it owes to the contract-holders, most of whom were, no doubt, induced to sign the 1947-48 contracts on the basis of the representations made in the product announcement for that season. The 1947-48 product announcement specifically mentioned "Wake of the Red Witch" and "Eagles in Exile" as the two John Wayne pictures to be produced that season. That these two pictures were used as "bait" to solicit the contract -holders for the 194748 season is evidenced by the fact that, last October, Republic placed these same two productions at the top of the list of pictures announced for the 1948-49 season. And now, according to reports, it is attempting to resell "Wake of the Red Witch" to the 194748 contract-holders at 50% I By withholding "Wake of the Red Witch" from the 1947-48 contract-holders, to whom it rightfully belongs, Republic not only takes away from them a choice box-office picture but compels them to exhibit in a high allocation bracket a picture of lesser boxoffice value. On the face of its attitude towards the 1947 48 contract-holders, is there any reason to believe that Republic will not take advantage of the 1948 49 contract-holders in a similar way? Harrison's Reports has always been in sympathy with the efforts of the smaller companies to better their positions, and it has consistently urged the independent exhibitors to support them. It regrets, therefore, that Republic has shown such an utter disregard for the rights of its customers. But there is still time for Republic to repair the damage. Good will in its relations with its customers is (Continued on bac\ page)