Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1936 - Dec 1937)

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1936 METRO-FORD DEAL HOWLS Ohio, N. Y. Exhibs Protest . . . The first volleys fired by exhibitors against the proposed cieup between M-G-M ind the Ford Motor Company for .1 weeklj radio broadcast featuring Metro stars came from the All.ed l.T.O. of Ohio and the [.T.O.A. of New York. Reports hav« Mated that the broadcast was to be held from 9 to 10 o'clock ever) Sunday night, and that the film companj is to receive (25,000 or $ JO, 000 for each program. The Ohio group K^t no time wiring Nicholas M. Schenck, president of Loev 's [nc, on Monday, to protest against the deal as being a serious threat to the welfart exhibitors throughout the country. The following d ». the New York I. T.O.A. sent a letter to Schenck asking for a denial of the reports that such a broadcast would be held on Sunday nights. They Can't Conceive It . . . The letter, signed by John Manheimcr. executive secretary ot the organization, follows: "Please advise us that trade paper reports that you have under consideration a tieup with the Ford Motor Company for a onehour broadcast on Sunday nights between the hours of 9 and 10 are false, as we cannot conceive how you possibly could give serious consideration to such a proposal when you know that 9 P. M. Sunday night is the exhibitor's only salvation at the boxoffice to cover or reduce any possible loss incurred in the operation of his theatre during the other 69 hours of that week. "If you multiply this time by the number ot theatres throughout the country that would suffer by reason of such a tieup, \ou would realize that s 2 5. 000 a week revenue to your company would destroy an immeasurably larger sum to the exhibitors to whom your company furnishes us product.' Still Not Set . . . The Metro-Ford deal is not yet set as to details. Executives for the film company are reported to have declared tint the broadcast will not be held on Saturday or Sunday. I fforts will be made to work it in on time after most theatre patrons have left their homes, perhaps after 9.30 on a weekday. However, it is doubtful if this will meet exhibitors' protests, because it is logical to assume that main people will remain at home to wait tor a program featunn number ot the leading screen personalities. HEARST OUT 'News of the Day' . . . I Ik -rowing volume of protests, often loudly vocal during showings of Metrotons News, from individuals and organizations who dislike William Randolph Hearst, finally drove the militaristically inclined publisher CO ( tnsent to removal of his name from the newsreel distributed In \l (. \1. Starting with issue No. :is, \|r. Hearst's newsreel became known merely as "News of the Da\, Distributed by M-G-M." Thus, business judgment won over pride. For the past year or more, I lea st's Metrotone News has been the butt of repeated attacks from pacifist, liberal and radical groups all over the country. The wellknown war-mongering tendencies of us owner were often reflected in the pictured news events and a campaign against the reel suited among anti-war groups in coll. It spread to the extent that theatres in metropolitan cities showing it were often picketed. CAGNEY, BUT DEFINITELY Knocks Rumors . . . Persistent rumors, emanating from sou that would like to have the industry believe so, ha\ e w a ned that ould never appe.u in pictures tor Grand National or any company other than Warner Bros, ontradictor) evidence, there appears elsewhere in this issue one of the first pi graphs from "Great Guy," the pugnacious star's first for G-N. Mready over tWO weeks in production, a lot of work will have to be undone it there is anything more than air to the rumors. 1 low ever, it is doubtful if all this ado would have resulted in the drastic action taken this week had not the aging publisher antagonized so many millions of Americans by his virulent attacks on President Roosevelt. It is reported that not only his newsreel, but his newspapers as well, have suffered severe adverse effects as a result of this campaign against the popular F. I). R. This rush >//// of j u > ". from James Cagney's first ('•rami National />/< / uy" would seem to squelch till rumors 1h.1t tin star would not appeal m pictures t<" anyom ot In r than \\ \i, u, i limth.