Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1936 - Dec 1937)

FILM BULLETIN expenses. While Allied leaders have been exceedingly reticent about the amount that has been subscribed so far, this reporter was reliably informed about two weeks ago that the initial goal has almost been reached. With returning prosperity, independent exhibitors foresee renewed activity by the producers in the theatre field. Individual contributions of S5 00 and Si 000 have come from prominent indies and the territorial units are coming through in a fashion that has surprised even some of the members of the so-called Defense Committee. They are confident that, with any material sign of victory in the early skirmishes, the additional funds they need for carrying the campaign into every state legislature will be forthcoming from exhibitors. PHILLY DUALS CASE UP TUES. Circuit Court Re-hearing . . . Rehearing of the Perelman double feature case in Philadelphia is slated to be heard by the U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals Tuesday. Benjamin M. Colder will represent Perelman, while the major company defendant, with the exception of Paramount, will have Morris Wolf as their counsel. WHOLESALE SUITS BY CHICAGO INDIES VS. B & K To Stop Extra Clearance . . . Chicago. — Over 5 0 individual suits for injunctions was Allied's answer to the move by Balaban & Katz circuit to obtain seven days additional clearance for some of their houses. The independent exhibitor plaintiffs retained a law firm to prepare their petitions and the cases are expected to reach court within the next week. The dispute, caused by B & K's demand for an extra seven days protection for their class "C" situations over the subsequent runs, has tied up the local selling of product. Virtually all Allied members have refused to sign any him contracts until the distributors alter their stand in granting the circuit this condition. Duals, Too . . . The fight against B & K here also concerns their insistence on bringing back dual billing to the territory. Independents generally are opposed to the move on the grounds that it will favor the chain and harm them. Rumors have been heard that B & K may be willing to compromise with Allied and drop their double featuring plans in return for agreement on the added clearance, and vice versa. The indies, nevertheless, are serious in their action to force a court decision on the clearance issue. They claim that B & K is legally barred from increasing their protection without consent of a majority of their body. KUYKENDALL IN AGAIN Covers Everything . . . Another confused, platitudinous and anti-independent exhibitor harangue in the form of a M.P.T.O.A. bulletin was emitted last week by Ed Kuykendall, president of the organization. The ro tund Mississippian covers almost every topic of immediate import to the trade and says little that can be construed as anything but pro-producer propaganda. On dual bills, he remarks that the practice developed and spread because of the "free and unrestrained cut-rate competition by shoe-string exhibitors," and that it "seeped up through" the unfortunate first run (producer-controlled) theatres. As something of a remedy, Kuykendall recommends that exhibitors /><j> for and shelve the weaker pictures and play the stronger ones as single features. No condemnation here for the poor product being delivered by the studios. Oh, no! Hits Allied Drive . . . Referring to Allied's contemplated drive to split production and exhibition, he terms it a "reckless campaign, which shows an utter lack of any sense of responsibility on the part of those making such demands." In the face of contrary opinion from an outstanding member of the Department of Justice, Kuykendall also comments that the plan is of "dubious legality." The burning issue of competition created by film stars on radio broadcasts receives his attention and brings forth a vague suggestion that some form of "regulation" be devised for controlling such broadcasts. While the M.P.T.O.A. chieftain isn't quite sure what he proposes to be done, it is likely that he has overheard the rumors that movie czar Will H. Hays is contemplating the appointment of a radio "overseer" to restrain the film players in their radio work. He may yet be credited with giving birth to the idea! MUSICIANS MAY PICKET Court Test . . . New York's Musicians' Union, Local 802, A.F.L., was upheld last Friday in its right to picket Broadway movie houses in its campaign to restore "living actors and live music" to stages and pits. The decision was handed down by Magistrate McKinney, who ruled that the right of organized labor to picket was greater than property rights. The musicians have been conducting their campaign for the past two weeks, with pickets imploring the public to shun the "palaces of greed" from which living musicians had been driven by "canned music." The union is planning to spread its activities to other cities where film producers control first run spots. SHORTER FEATURES PROBLEM Tough on Single Bill Spots . . . Theatres in single feature territories are being faced with an acute problem brought on by a recent tendency among the majors to reduce the footage of their "program" pictures. Previously, only the indies allowed the running time of features to fall below the 60 minute mark, but in the past tew months a number of major releases are around 5 000 feet, running around S J minutes. While tins is satisfactory to dual bill locations, exhibitors in the Philadelphia-Washington area and other single bill territories are compelled to double feature or book an excessive number of shorts to till out two-hour programs.