The motion picture industry (1933)

180 ^> ^ ^> The Motion Picture Industry exhibitor has the right to exclude up to 15% of the pictures contracted for. However, he agrees "(1) as to each feature motion picture excluded in the first five per cent of the total number so excluded to pay to the Distributor the rental therefor specified in the Schedule; (2) as to each feature motion picture included in the five per cent of the total number thereafter so excluded to pay to the Distributor onehalf of the rental thereof specified in the Schedule; and (3) as to each feature motion picture included in the five per cent of the total lastly so excluded there shall be added to the rental of the motion pictures then remaining to be delivered hereunder an amount at least equal to the aggregate of the rentals of the motion pictures so lastly excluded, apportioned equally to each or to any one or more thereof, selected by the Exhibitor". In a report of the Federal Trade Commission, made public in December, 1932, it was announced that no further effort would be made to enforce its block booking order against the Paramount Famous Lasky Corporation. During the period of nearly eleven years since the filing of the first complaint against this practice, 17,000 pages of testimony and 15,000 pages of exhibits have been gathered; this is probably the most voluminous record compiled in any litigation involving trade practices. While it is not likely that many of the exhibitors will be satisfied with the present status of the block booking problem, it is altogether probable that, barring legislation which seems unlikely, the attention of the industry will be for some time concentrated on other problems, leaving this particular issue as it is.