Motion Picture Herald (May-Jun 1946)

ON THE MARCH showdown hcht by RED KANN 4i WE, as exhibitors, should insist that the producers and participants in motion pictures should stop washing their dirty and sexy linen in public. Also that we should not tolerate tlie production or distribution of pictures which tend to degrade the industry in the eyes of the customers. The censors won't stop them, but we should." This was Fred Kent, lawyer and vice-president of Florida State Theatres, Inc., a Paramount theatre subsidiary, talking at the SETOA convention in Jacksonville. Both of these viewpoints are valid. But, where Kent says "we should," he would have served the objective better if he had outlined "how." There are highly important questions involved here, not to be dismissed casually. No one can justify the existence of films "which tend to degrade the industry in the eyes of the customers." Yet cloaking the exhibitor, with a personal privilege of censorship is fraught with many dangers. The sincere theatre man in Bangor may hold one view and his opposite number in Birmingham another. Each may be able to support his position, yet conceivably pinioned between opposing viewpoints may be a film, or films, which the general body of exhibitors may be entirely willing to play. There must be considered as well the less sincere exhibitor who may use self-censorship as a blind to rid himself of percentage pictures or to improve his terms. Moreover, the industry as such properly pursues a policy of discouraging, not encouraging, censorship. But of one exhibitor is given laundry rights, such rights cainnot be denied another. The logical conclusion inevitably will lead to as many censors in the United States as there are theatre operators. The situation obviously would only befuddle, confuse and encourage chaos. The business of dry cleaning the product belongs at the source where it was set up in business when the Production Code Administration began to function. It is the one satisfactory method which the industry has been able to evolve. It operating history down through the years has demonstrated efficiency. Responsible executives of the industry are for it without exception. They know the trouble that has been averted. Conversely, they know the trouble they could not have averted if the state of affairs was otherwise. They are for the code because it is good business to be for it. This is all the reasons tied into one why the vigil must be maintained and why infractions, conscious or careless, are shortsighted and difficult. There have been mistakes and they are on current display in theatres around the country. They explain why Eric Johnston on June 19 is expected to reiterate the need for rigid enforcement, why he probably will point out any one company's error is serious enough to hurt the whole industry, why the highest of standards must be maintained without divergence. The source — Hollywood — is the place, not ten thousand communities scattered from Maine to Oregon. Not every film made by the J. Arthur Rank organization in Britain will see American daylight. United World will have first crack up to eight. Eagle Lion will pick up thereafter on another ten although it is possible both companies will raise their numerical sights. But when Rank's representatives, visiting in America, state the determining yardstick will be suitability for this market, they state the current case precisely. Suitability can vary according to the appraisal of those calling the shots, quite naturally. Yet Rank is believed prepared to allow those charged with the selling to do the selecting. He figures they know best. It's a smart calculation. Those American distributors who dump their complete programs wherever there's a free foreign market might ponder this well. What does this mean ? And that ? The lawyers, and no doubt the courts, will be interpreting unclear phases of that decision finally handed down in New York late Tuesday for weeks to come. Perhaps months. Meanwhile, quick reaction — subject to change with no notice whatsoever — puts the majors on the outwardly calm side. Maybe they've been conditioning themselves. The Department of Justice, however, is less than satisfied and on Wednesday was talking about an appeal. Anyway, what is clear is that the whole story is not yet in. The Supreme Court meets again, beginning with fall. Irresistible Margaret O'Brien keeps on referring to the Greek amphitheatre in "Three Wise Fools" as a "theatre for the Greeks." Spyros, Charlie and George already have a tfyeatre. LIFE IN HOLLYWOOD: "Where's There's Life," Paramount; "Best Years of Our Lives," Goldwyn; "It's a Wonderful Life," Frank Capra for Liberty-RKO ; "The Short, Happy Life of Francis Macomber," Bogeaus-UA; "Life with Father," Warner. Hollywood quote has Grad Sears predicting "The Outlaw" eventually will gross $10,000,000 domestically. Why, Mr. Sears! (Continued from preceding page) ed out that the tax committee had heard Robert W. Coyne, ATA executive director. Jack Kirsch, Allied national president, and head of the Allied Theatres of Illinois, attacked the UTO as "publicity seekers." He declared the victory belonged to all exhibitors, that it had been won only by joint action. ATA executives will address exhibitor meetings in Memphis, June 23-24, in Des Moines June 24, and in Omaha, June 26. A board meeting has been called by William F. Crockett, president of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of Virginia, for June 26, at which it is expected ATA affiliation will be the chief topic. Mr. Crockett is secretary of the new national association. Allied Meeting Formal Opposition in Michigan Allied was getting its first recent formal opposition in Michigan. Sam Carver, Detroit exhibitor, had completed the organization of the Michigan Independent Theatre Owners and had become its president. Other officers were William Schulte, vice-president ; Sam Ackerman, second vice-president ; Irving Katcher, secretary, and Clare Winnie, treasurer. Some of the members formerly were members of Allied Theatres of Michigan, headed by Ray Branch, of Hastings. The three-day annual convention of Allied Theatres of New Jersey begins June 19 at the Chelsea Hotel in Atlantic City. Harry H. Loewenstein, president for the past five years, has announced his intention to retire and new officers will be elected the second day of the meeting. 1 25 Pre-release Dates Set on "Stolen Life" Warners "A Stolen Life," starring Bette Davis and now in the sixth week of its world premiere at the Hollywood theatre, New York, has 125 additional pre-release openings already set for the latter part of June and early July. Out-of-town premiere of the film will take place June 19 at the United Artists theatre, Portland, Ore. The following day it opens at the Warfield, San Francisco, and June 26 at the Hippodrome, Cleveland. Warner Circuit first runs in New England, also the Lincoln theatre, Lincoln, Neb., will open the film July 3, ^nd about 80 situations in the east, south and midwest have openings set for July 4. PRC Sets 15 Prennieres For "Missouri Way" PRC's musical comedy, "Down Missouri Way," will have simultaneous premieres in 15 Missouri cities, it was announced this week by Harry H. Thomas, president and general sales manager. The premieres will be held sometime in July in St. Louis, Kansas City, Cape Girardeau, Columbia, Hannibal, Independence, Jefferson City, Joplin, St. Joseph, Sedalia, Springfield, University City, Webster Groves, Moberly and Maplewood. 24 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, JUNE 15. 1946