Harrison's Reports (1958)

Entered as second-class matter January 4, 1921, at the post office at New York, Now York, under the act of March 3, 1879. Harrison's Reports Yearly Subscription Rates: 1270 SIXTH AVENUE Published Weekly by t, > . j « . . tlE nn Harrison's Reports, Inc., United States $15.00 New York 20, N. Y. Publisher U. S. Insular Possessions. 16.50 ^ _ _ ^ ^ „ ,0 1RKft . „ .. . t> i • a P. S. HARRISON, Editor Canada 16.50 a Motion Picture Reviewing Service ^ PICOULT Mexico, Cuba, Spain 16.50 Devoted Chiefly to the Interests of the Exhibitors Managing Editor Great Britain 17.60 Australia, New Zealand, Established July 1, 1919 India, Europe, Asia 17.60 its Editorial Policy: No Problem Too Big for Its Editorial 35c a Copy Columns, if It is to Benefit the Exhibitor. Circle 7-4622 A REVIEWING SERVICE FREE FROM THE INFLUENCE OF FILM ADVERTISING Vol. XL ~ SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 1958 No. 31 PARAMOUNT'S SILENCE Several weeks ago, when five Massachusetts drive-in theatres decided simultaneously to withdraw "The Ten Commandments" after completing the first week of a scheduled two-week run, the Independent Exhibitors of New England, through Edward W. Lider, its president, charged that the picture had flopped at the box-office. As reported in these columns last week, the five drive-in theatres ran the picture for a second week after being reminded by Paramount of their contractual obligations. Moreover, Paramount, to dispute Lider's charge that the picture had flopped, claimed that it had done outstanding business and hand-picked two trade paper editors to check the grosses in each of the outdoor theatres during the first five days of the first week and to compare them with the much lower grosses of other Paramount attractions that had played in the same theatres. In a bulletin that was reproduced in this paper last week, Lider virtually charged Paramount with misrepresentation in the comparative grosses it cited, and he challenged the company to make public the grosses earned in each theatre during the second week. Although it was quick to cite the figures for the first week, Paramount has not accepted Lider's challenge and is remaining silent about the grosses for the second week. Paramount's silence on this matter aroused our curiosity and we decided to recheck the several publicity releases sent out by the company during the past month concerning the alleged record-breaking business done by the picture in numerous drive-in engagements throughout the country. After a careful check we found that, in every instance, the figures cited for the different engagements concerned only the business done during the first week of each two-week run. At no time has Paramount made public the 2nd week gross of any of these engagements. Paramount's reluctance to publicize the 2nd week grosses in drive-in engagements lends credence to Lider's contention that the profits that might be realized during the first week of the compulsory two-week runs are wiped out by a disappointing second week, in which case the outdoor operator ends up with either nothing or a loss, while Paramount walks off with its assured "royalty" payments for every adult and child admitted. To repeat what we said last week, the Paramount sales policy on "Ten Commandments" for drive-in theatres does not appear to be the bonanza it is claimed to be. ALLIED CAMPAIGN FOR PUBLIC SUPPORT GAINING MOMENTUM Heeding the call in National Allied's recently published "white paper" for "prompt energetic action by all exhibitors who would save their business and investment," the Allied Theatre Owners of Indiana has formed an Indiana Committee for Enforcement of Motion Picture Decrees, under the chairmanship of Trueman T. Rembusch, the fiery exhibitor leader who has always been in the forefront in all efforts to combat and wipe out abusive producer-distributor practices. Rembusch's committee is offering "I Am a Man Who Cares" certificates to all exhibitors willing to join the crusade for enforcement of the injunctions against admission price-fixing and discrimination as to availability of pictures and terms as prescribed under the anti-monopoly motion picture decrees handed down by the Courts. Exhibitors who desire such a certificate may obtain one by writing to Mr. Rembusch, Allied Theatre Owners of Indiana, 512 North Illinois St., Indianapolis, Ind. The committee already has sent to Indiana Congressmen and Senators, as well as to candidates for Congress jn the Fall elections, a copy of National Allied's 45-page "white paper," which is entitled "What the Motion Picture Theatres Mean to You and What You Can do to Save Them." Comments, advice and assistance are being sought to obtain enforcement of the decrees, not only from incumbent Senators and Congressmen, but also from candidates for these offices. Additionally, the committee shortly will hold regional exhibitor meetings throughout Indiana so that an organized drive will be made, utilizing Allied's "white paper," to inform all Indiana newspapers, service clubs, women's clubs, chambers of comerce and the public just why the theatres in their communities have been relegated to second-class motion picture service as to the bigger and better pictures. The committee feels confident that, once these groups are informed, they will lend their assistance toward obtaining enforcement of the decrees, thereby securing the protection the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice is obligated to furnish the public and the smaller independent theatre owners under the terms of these decrees. Another to take up the fight for a square deal is Milton H. London, president of Allied Theatres of Michigan, who had this to say to his membership in a July 23 organizational bulletin: "Exhibitor leaders feel certain that subsequent-run and small-town theatres will soon be forced out of business if present trends of film sales policies are allowed to continue. "It is the considered opinion of competent attorneys that many of these destructive trade practices are illegal under the Federal antitrust laws and the consent decrees. Further that the enforcement of these laws is the function of the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice. Yet during recent years the Department of Justice has seen fit to ignore every exhibitor complaint of decree violation. "What then can the exhibitors do? The exhibitors can bring this intolerable situation to the attention of the Congress of the United States, which through its investigative and legislative powers can prevail upon the Attorney General to secure relief for the independent exhibitors through the orderly processes of law enforcement. This is the purpose of the enclosed booklet written by Abram F. Myers, Allied's General Counsel. It states the exhibitor's case clearly, completely, concisely. "But to achieve its intended purpose the booklet must have the widest possible distribution. It is your job to get this booklet into the hands of your Senators, your Congressman, your newspaper editors, your local boards of trade, chambers of commerce, Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions and similar clubs. Don't be afraid to tell the public that through no fault of yours you are unable to obtain certain attractions for them. Explain to the community leaders, the articulate opinion molders, that restricted, discriminatory, illegal sales policies not only deprive them of the best motion picture entertainment but that if these policies are allowed to close your theatre, then the entire business community will suffer. "Exhibitors can present this booklet with confidence and pride. In soliciting the support of the public in this matter, you are pointing out the importance of your theatre to the community. You are making friends and allies for yourself and the motion picture industry. No one likes a cry-baby; everyone admires the man who will stand up and fight for his rights. "Michigan Allied can furnish the names and addresses ot your Senators and Congressman and additional copies (within reason) of the enclosed booklet. "The rest is up to you." As in Indiana and in Michigan, the other Allied regional associations no doubt are making preparations for an all-out campaign to be conducted by their members in the effort to enlist public support. But the fight for survival is not one (Continued on bac\ page)