Motion Picture Times (1931)

December 15, 1931. MOTION PICTURE TIMES Page 7 Monopoly Charges Filed OPPOSITION TO FEDERAL TAX Cleveland Exhibitors Seek to Smash MPPDA Revise Express Rates Il HI-LITECi ■ 1 IN THE WEEK’S NEWS tl New York — More sincerity on the part of players in portraying their roles would enhance the value of pictures, according to Harry M. Warner. The Warner president declared that all parts must be completely played. No longer can players succeed by posing before the camera. New York — Laugh programs are important in the opinion of Felix F. Feist. “Build up laugh programs,” is his suggestion for combatting a slump at the boxoffice. Hollywood — Gus Barth has been named sales manager of the Pomeroy Company, which is doing special photographic and recording work. Charles Davis has joined the sales staff under Barth. Railway Express Agency Joins Southeastern in Downward Revision for Ten Southern Points. Atlanta — Following almost two years of ceaseless campaigning by J. H. Butner, local educational manager, the Hay^ organization. Southeastern Theatre Owners’ Association and other film industry groups, substantial reductions in return shipments of films to exchanges have been secured. Railway Express Agency, Inc., has joined the Southeastern Express Company in reducing express rates to film exchanges in Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Jacksonville, Louisville, Memphis, New Orleans, St. Louis and Washington. The reduction is 50 per cent of the former rate, provided the film is shipped both ways on one company’s lines, and is effective January 5. (Continued on page 18) Develops in Congress As Democrats Prepare to Submit Own Program ; Hit Dimers. Washington — Secretary Mellon’s recommendation that a tax on theatre admissions of more than ten cents be levied is understood to be encountering increasing opposition in congressional circles here. The democratic majority in the House of Representatives, from which all revenue-producing proposals must originate, is said to be planning its own legislative program. Meetings are to be held this week to discuss the situation and develop new ideas. Opposition to any form of “nuisance” tax is foreseen. Also critized is the proposal to tax admissions from ten cents up. General opinion holds that the cheaper types of amusement cannot now bear such taxes. o BIG CHRISTMAS ISSUE Out December 22 Elliott Succeeds Canavan as Head Hollywood — Eleven big features will be in various stages of work by February 1 at the combined Radio-Pathe studios, according to David 0. Selznick. Hollywood — A defense of production costs has been made by Samuel Goldwyn in answer to critics of Hollywood studios and their activities. New York — Warner Bros, has issued a complete denial of charges of insolvency made by Jules Endler of Passiac, N. J., in a petition for the appointment of a receiver for the company, filed in Wilmington. Gervers Aids Ennis New York — Ralph Gervers, associated with Columbia since last spring, has been named assistant director of exploitation of the company, under the supervision of Bert Ennis, director of advertising, publicity and exploitation. Gervers, who will make his headquarters in New York, will also be in charge of the field men, and handle the exploitation on the New York openings, in addition to the national exploitation campaigns of the company. New York — William C. Elliott, formerly vice-president of the I. A. T. S. E. and M. P. 0., has been elected president, succeeding William F. Canavan, resigned. Canavan’s resignation was offered following failure of unions throughout the country to approve his 36week salary reduction plan. Elliott was elected by the executive board of the union. John P. Nick of St. Paul, third vice-president, succeeds him as first vicepresident. Status of William P. Covert of Toronto, second viceresident, remains unchanged. Wil liam J. Harrer of Philadelphia, who has been fourth vice-president, advances to the post of third vice-president. Joseph C. Campbell of Oklahoma City, fifth vicepresident, becomes fourth vicepresident, and William T. Madigan of Minneapolis moves from the sixth to fifth vice-presidency. Floyd M. Billingsley of San Francisco seventh vice-president is made sixth vice-president. A new seventh vice-president -will be elected by the executive board at a later date. APPROVE RKO REFINANCING New York — Radio-Keith-Orpheum’s refinancing plan was approved by stockholders after three days’ adjournment. Under the terms of the plan, RCA will underwrite the new issue of stock in six per cent debentures, totaling $11,600,000. Hiram S. Brown, president of RKO, expressed gratification over the adoption of the plan, stating that RKO is now afforded an opportunity to resume its business with reasonable hope of profitable operations. “Combine” ; Charge Conspiracy. (Special to Associated Pub.) By ELSIE LOEB Cleveland — Charging that the Motion Picture Producers of America, under the leadership of Will Hays, have formed a combine and monopoly in violation of the Sherman anti-trust law, Cleveland Motion Picture Exhibitors’ Association has filed an injunction suit in Federal Court to smash the alleged combine. The association consists of 46 independent Cleveland exhibitors owning and operating about 80 Cleveland motion picture houses. Exhibitors charge they are being forced out of business. Suit was filed by Attorney Samuel Horwitz of the firm of Stanley, Horwitz and Kiefer. Associated with him are Joe B. Keifer and Paul R. Harmel. Suit asks that the “monopoly and conspiracy in restraint of trade be declared illegal and that the combination or trust be dissolved.” Violation of the Sherman act is punishable by fine or imprisonmenjf:. The petition contends that defendants control 98 per cent of production and distribution in the United States and by reason of concerted and discriminatory practices are enabled to suppress competition and injure independent exhibitors not affiliated with defendants. The suit charges exhibitors are compelled to sign uniform contracts, terms of which work to their disadvantage, and that since these contracts are uniformly employed by all the defendants, exhibitors are denied a “free, untrammeled and open market.” Because of their almost absolute control of the motion picture production, it is charged defendant producers are in position to (Continued on page 18) Publix Buys Vitas. New York — Arrangements have been made for the showing of Vitaphone Short Subjects in all Publix theatres. The number of Publix theatres involved in the deal covering Vitaphone Shorts, approximates 1,000 and takes in the following territories: Boston, New Haven, New York, New Jersey, Charlotte, Atlanta, New Orleans, Memphis, Dallas, Los Angeles, St. Louis. Omaha, Minneapolis, Des Moines, Indianapolis, Chicago, Cleveland Buffalo.