Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1934)

MOTION PICTURE DAILY Monday, August 13, 1934 Code Costs Opposed by 30 Concerns (Continued from page 1) F. & M. Stageshows, Inc., Educational Films Corp. of America, First Division, Hollywood Film Exchanges, Inc., Interstate Films Co., Pathe News, and Van Beuren of New York ; Capitol Film Exchange, Philadelphia ; Monogram Pictures, Inc., Detroit; Chenoweth Film Co., Omaha ; Franklin Productions, Inc., Boston; Edited Pictures System, N. Y. ; Greiver Productions, Chicago ; Ideal Pictures Corp., Minneapolis ; Peerless Distributing Co., Philadelphia ; Educational Film Exchange, Louisville ; Premier Pictures Corp., St. Louis ; Strickland Industrial Film Corp., Atlanta ; Progressive Pictures, Inc., St. Louis ; Douglas Fairbanks Pictures Corp., Hollywood; J. Bruce Johnson, Hollywood ; Monogram Pictures, Denver ; Cameo Screen Attractions, Boston, and Charles R. Rogers, Hollywood. In its letter to Rosenblatt, United Artists points out that its company, along with Paramount, M-G-M, RKO, Warner-First National and Fox, is assessed $20,000, while Universal and Columbia are levied $15,000. After detailing the number of pictures the various companies distribute, the letter states that United Artists is solely a distributor of a limited number of features annually and that these pictures in no wise compare with the number distributed by other national companies. Say Receipts Are Lower "The gross receipts of the undersigned," the letter states, "are far less than the gross receipts of practically all of the national distributors. "The method of allocation is unfair in that the gross receipts and the number of pictures distributed by each distributor should be the factor used in determining contributions to the code." The letter adds that Warner-First National releases about 60 features and a minimum of ISO shorts annually and that this company's receipts are at least twice, and in all probability three times as large as gross receipts of U. A. It is claimed that U. A. in the past has released as few as four films a year with maximum at 20, supplemented during the last few years by Walt Disney shorts. The company asks that a certified accountant should examine the records of the various companies to determine gross receipts, number of features and shorts, and from this calculation it will be possible to arrive at a fair method of allocating the expenses of the respective companies. In closing the letter, U. A. suggests a public hearing to substantiate its protest, declaring the method suggested by Campi is grossly unfair. William P. Phillips, treasurer, signed the letter. The Universal protest, signed by R. H. Cochrane, contains the same allegations submitted by United Artists. It suggests that the assessment be based on the gross receipts of the individual distributor and that a public hearing be held with respect to the method of allocating the ex Jackie and Shirley New Haven, Aug. 12. — Frank Henson, manager of Loew's Bijou here, is credited with originating a stunt for the forthcoming opening of "Treasure Island" in Los Angeles which has been adopted by M-G-M's coast publicity department. His suggestion was that Jackie Cooper escort Shirley Temple to the opening, which is expected to result in considerable newspaper space. pense of Campi and the method of contribution. The letter states that over a period of years the method of taxing in proportion to gross receipts has been effective and satisfactory. Chad wick Praises New L. A. Schedule (Continued from paqc 1) has done splendid work in drafting the schedule and that unaffiliated producers and distributors have no idea of making a general assault on its provisions. Now that the duals questions has been eliminated, Chadwick feels that the preview clause in the coast schedule should be modified. The plan provides that previews can be held only at theatres charging 50 cent admissions, which he feels discriminates against independent product. If an independent producer wants to preview his product at houses charging under 50 cents, he should be entitled to do so, Chadwick contends. "We don't want to be the bulls in a China shop and kick over everything the men have done," Chadwick states. "They gave us a fine plan, but there are certain things we are in disagreement on." The producer holds that independents' product has improved considerably over past years and is of a much higher grade than heretofore. Chadwick leaves for the coast tomorrow by plane. He will return when the Los Angeles schedule comes before Campi. New Clearance Set Up in Ogden, Utah Ogden, Utah, Aug. 12. — New clearances based on admissions have been set up for this city by the Salt Lake City clearance and zoning board. When the difference between first and second runs is 20 cents clearance is 180 days; IS cents, 120 days; 10 cents, 75 days ; five cents, 60 days. When first and second run prices are the same the clearance is 30 days. Non-theatrical accounts are held to 365 days after first run. Associated Theatres Now MPTOA Unit (Continued from pane 1) unit, which includes exhibitors scattered throughout southern California. Officers of the coast unit are : President, Ben Berinstein ; vice-president, Harry Hicks ; secretary, Russell Rogers ; treasurer. Arnold Schank ; directors, B. Berinstein, Louis Halper, H. Hicks, George Bromley, A. Schank, Georges Haines. Robert Gumbiner, Milt Arthur and R. Rogers. U. A. to Seek Allied to Let Court Test on Cancellations (Continued from pufic 1) pictures are sold on individual contracts and hence are not subject to cancellation, holding that one cannot cancel 10 per cent ai one picture. However, Campi's committee held that the words "license agreement" in the code were not meant to indicate a contract for one picture but for groups of pictures. U. A., it is stated, has correspondence from Division Administrator Sol A. Rosenblatt, which, it is held, assures the distributor that its pictures would not come under the cancellation provision. I.J. .\. contends that its contracts with individual producers like Samuel Goldwyn, Darryl Zanuck, Reliance, Charles Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks and others do not permit cancellations of pictures unless the producer consents. Only Zanuck is listed for 10 pictiu'cs on the U. A. list, the other producers being slated for four, or less. Units Act on Duals Stand Expect Film Carriers To Reelect Clarke (Continued from pofie 1) ofiicers slated to continue are Clint Weyer, secretary, and Harold Robinson of Detroit, vice-president.. About 40 members will be present. Among topics to be discussed will be standardization of equipment and shipments and developments during the past year. Plans for the new year will be outlined. The organization has about 600 trucks in operation nationally. ■An executive committee of five and a board of managers of seven will be continued in office, according to present indications. (Continued from pane 1) affiliations, have signed agreements to abandon duals. The Recent attempt of Milwaukee exhibitors to penalize duals in the local clearance and zoning schedule was short lived after Camiii held an open session for protests. Harry Kridel has been named chairman of the New Jersey Allied committee working on elimination of duals. Julius Charnow, Nathan Myers, Jack Pinelis and Benjamin Berkowitz are other members. Signatures of Skouras, RKO, Loew and Paramount arc being awaited and when these come through it is expected the entire territory will go for the plan. There are several independents who haven't signed. They are waiting to see what the circuits do. Tri-Consolidated to Add 5 More Houses (Continued from page 1) the ve_rge of coming under the banner with contracts ready for signing. This is expected sometime this week and will bring the total to 74. The present construction program will be limited to two houses. The Pilgrim in the Bronx will be ready for opening Sept. 20 and the Tribune, to be constructed in the old Tribune Building on Nassau St., will be ready by next January. This house will seat 600. Two additional new structures were planned, but have been called oflF for the present. Famous Theatres to Take 8 Ohio Houses Marion-. O., Aug. 12.— Famous Theatres Corp. has launched a theatre acquisition drive in Ohio and is taking over eight houses to be operated by subsidiaries. Midhio Theatres Corp. recently forrned to run Young's Palace and Marion here, has deals under way to take the Liberty, Quimby, Imperial and Grand, Zanesville ; Paramount, Hamilton, and Paramount, Middletown. Tracy Barham, formerly Albany district booker for Warners, has taken personal charge of the Marion houses. British CEA Again Hits Overbuilding (Continued from page 1) Lhiited Kingdom a legal opinion from Tyldesley Jones, K.C., asserting that these bodies have the power to refuse licenses for new theatres if they think present seating adequate to public needs. It has been widely assumed that the powers of local bodies were limited to the stipulation of safety conditions. No definite court decision has yet been hamled down on the point. With the legal opinions, the C. E. A. is circulating copies of the paper on overbuilding read by Sam Eckman, Jr., at the Blackpool convention, the arguments of which have since been vigorously challenged by John Maxwell, president of the Kinematograph Renters' Society and principal of the important A. B. C. circuit. Dr. A. H. Giannini arrived in London on vacation. Also on the lie de France was Lucien Hubbard, M-G-M producer. * * * Winfield Sheehan due from Paris. Vacation stated, but Fox British production plans are taking shape on an ambitious basis. M-G-M Feature List Is Taken by F. W, C, M-G-M's entire lineup of features has been sold to Fox West Coast's group of approximately 400 theatres. The deals for shorts have not been completed. Jack Sullivan and E. L. Alperson are working on these with M-G-Al executives. Fox product already has been lined up with the same circuit and its five operating units. Negotiations are under way on RKO, Warners and Columbia deals which are not expected to be completed for another couple of weeks. Booked for Roxy Howard S. Cullman has booked three films to follow "Handy Andv" at the Roxy. In the order in which they will be shown, they are : "Charlie Chan's Courage." "We're Rich Again" rind "Romance in the Rain."