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 M v L r>n K v Publisher Canada 16.50 Wew York zv> n Y p. s. HARRISON, 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 Itg Editorjal po]icy: 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, APRIL 30, 1949 No. 18 PROMOTE YOUR OWN INSTITUTION Under an agreement reached between the producer' distributors and the representatives of the leading exhibitor organizations, "The Movies and You," the all' industry film series of twelve short subjects, which has been designed to sell the motion picture industry to the American public, will be furnished to the exhibitors at actual cost, with all distribution and studio overhead charges eliminated. Briefly, the agreement provides that a Board of Trustees, made up of twenty persons representing pro' duction, distribution, exhibition, and the trade press, shall administer the project and collect and disburse the film rentals. Exhibitors will be asked to pay to the distributor of each short subject the lowest normal rental charged by that distributor for a single-reel black and white sub' ject. After the first four reels have been distributed, the Board will make an audit and, if it is found that the actual costs are materially lower than the estimated cost of $28,500 for each subject, the Board will consider a reduction in rentals for future releases to prevent the accumulation of a large surplus. In the event that the cost of the entire series is recouped before all twelve subjects have been released, the remaining reels in the series will be furnished to the exhibitors at no charge whatsoever. Of the twelve subjects, four— "Let's Go to the Movies" (RKO), "Movies are Adventure" (Univ.' Int'l) , "This Theatre and You" (Warners) and "The Art Director" (20th'Fox) — are completed, with the first one to be distributed by RKO in May. Each of the subjects completed thus far do a great selling job for the industry as a whole, and what is most important is that the selling job is done in terms of highly enjoyable entertainment. Moreover, they are being made available to exhibitors under a rental plan that is very fair, and which has the unqualified endorsement of every exhibitor association in the country. As pointed out in a recent bulletin of the Associated Theatre Owners of Indiana, exhibitors have used their screens to sell autos, washing machines and soft drinks, as well as messages in support of many charity and other worthy drives. The industry public relations shorts offers every exhibitor an opportunity to employ this same powerful medium in the promotion of his own institution. "The Movies and You" series is one of the greatest constructive enterprises ever undertaken by the industry. Every exhibitor should give it his fullest support. SHOW HIM YOUR GRATITUDE Robert L. Wright, who joined the Department of Justice in 1938 as special assistant to the U.S. Attorney General, and who has handled the Government's anti'trust suit against the major distributors from the start, has resigned from the Department, effective April 29, to enter private practice in Wash' ington. In tendering his resignation, Mr. Wright expressed the belief that little if any work would be required on the anti-trust case until the issuance of the final decree by the three-judge New York Court, to whom the U.S. Supreme Court had remanded the case. Throughout his eleven years with the Department of Justice's anti-trust division, Mr. Wright, more than any other Government official, has been a thorn in the sides of the major companies' high-priced lawyers. His profound study of the motion picture industry left him satisfied that there were many evils that needed correction, and all through his legal battle with the monopolists he was determined never to compromise on any proposed solution that failed to eliminate block-booking and blind-selling, as well as to divorce the producing and distributing end of the business from the exhibition end. His expert handling of, not only the New York case, but also the Crescent and Schine anti-trust suits, as well as the Government's intervention in the Goldman case, has resulted in decisions that are not short of his goal. The thanks of all independents, both exhibitors and producers, should be given to Mr. Wright for his faithful and conscientious efforts in the struggle for law and justice. The lot of the independents has been improved greatly by his capable work, and it behooves every one of them to express their gratitude by a suitable letter addressed to him in care of the Department of Justice, in Washington, D. O, thanking him for the notable public service he has perfomed throughout his distinguished Government career. Harrison's Reports feels confident that every independent exhibitor will gladly join it in wishing Mr. Wright the greatest success possible in his private practice. SUPPORT THE OPPORTUNITY SAVINGS BOND DRIVE — MAY 15-JUNE 30