The Philadelphia Exhibitor (1935)

18 Jan 1 ’ 3 5 THE PHILADELPHIA EXHIBITOR • A Concise National Survey TRADE IN REVIEW • — • Glances Outside \ I;' the Territory CODE Only 20% Cases Appealed From Local Board Decisions A Code Authority survey indicates that only 329 appeals were taken from 1689 complaints filed with local boards, 1052 being of grievance nature and the others concerned with zoning. 273 appeals have already been decided. Code Authority Gives Rosenblatt Official Praise The Code Authority has officially gone on record as praising the co-operation of Sol A. Rosenblatt, division administrator of the code. In a resolution the body complimented them and handed him a well deserved posy. Legit Code Authority Acts on Free Shows The Legitimate Code Authority has sent word to the Federal Communications Commis¬ sion asking for help in ending free broadcasts as well as those for which small admission is charged, on the grounds of unfair competition. Hearing was also asked. The Code Authority for the motion picture industry is co-operating. Code Authority Releases Statement for 1 1 Months The Code Authority, in a statement includ¬ ing business through November, shows |an $8,030.22 balance in the bank. Total income was $189,528.52, with disbursements $181,498.30. November expenses were $488.09 under budget. Allied Seeks Changes In Code Setup Allied States Association leaders, meeting in convention, seek a change in the code setup so that the buyers, independent, can get a propor¬ tion of the votes. Investigation into ,the code is asked after reorganization of the Code Author¬ ity. A new constitution calls for an annual meeting, with delegates having power to vote. Directors meet again in Washington in January, with a convention in Atlanta in May. Allied houses will get a seal for identification pur¬ poses. Denver Citadel of Biggest Giveaways The giveaway war has reached its height in Denver, Colorado, where Harry Huffman has been handing out autos each week. Business has packed the houses and the competition is also giving away autos. The code board has moved against the prac¬ tice, with Huffman threatening to go to court if he is checked. Lease Removal Opposed By Allied and Others Allied Jersey and others went on record as opposed to the removal of the interference with negotiations for lease between landlord and tenant clause from the code. The Code Author¬ ity appeared before the NRA in Washington with a request to drop this clause but Allied Jersey, in correspondence with William P. Farnsworth, deputy administrator, opposed such a move. EXHIBITION MPTOA Schedules Annual Meeting at New Orleans New Orleans gets the 1935 MPTOA con¬ vention, February 25-27. The convention will end a day before the annual Mardi Gras, allow¬ ing exhibitors to stop over to make merry. Ed Kuykendall is expected to continue as president and industry problems will be dis¬ cussed at the session. Industry Awaits Decision In Double Feature Case The industry was looking toward Philadel¬ phia where a case involving charges of con¬ spiracy and monopoly in restricting double fea¬ turing in certain contracts had been heard. If the court holds anti-doubles clauses in¬ volved conspiracy, it was probable that other cases would pop up all over the country. English Questionnaire Shows Some Interesting Results Sidney L. Bernstein, prominent British ex¬ hibitor, has revealed the results obtained from 250,000 questionnaires distributed to patrons in London and the provinces. 124,837 were re¬ turned. Male star winner was George Arliss, with Clark Gable second. Female choice was Norma Shearer, with Marie Dressier second. Jack Hulbert was the British “like,” 7th in the total poll. Gracie Fields held the 7th place, first among British actresses. Disliked most were James Cagney and Mae West. Ralph Lynn won the British distinc¬ tion, with Jessie Matthews the female title. Small part players favored for better roles were Frank McHugh, Guy Kibbee and Una Merkel. Men liked thriller-adventures, with the women desiring musical comedies. 3-hour programs won out, with two big pictures on one program the favorite. The majority of patrons also liked organ music. Directors who were favored were Alex Korda and Tom Walls. Most patrons went to pictures an average of twice a week. Middle stalls were preferred. Likes included cast lists at end and beginning, fewer news reels, more news reels, no babies or children at evening performances. Leading film at time of vote was “Cavalcade” with “I’m No Angel,” most disliked. Free Standard Oil Shows Stopped in Country Acting with phenomenal speed, Code Author¬ ities for the motion picture and legitimate the¬ atres checked the free show performances paid for by Standard Oil Company. Through agree¬ ment, the shows were routed into vaudeville houses for the days. The change in arrangements came within a fortnight, and after the free shows had been given to packed houses. Boston Bombings Stir Exhibitors Bombing of four theatres in Boston, Mass., drew attention of the industry to trouble in that sector. Union-non-union issue came to a head recently. Blame for the bombings couldn’t be placed accurately, but suspicions were voiced. Several circuits had opposed union labor in the district. PRODUCTION Consolidated Film to Do All Universal Work Consolidated Film Laboratories, Inc., will do all of Universal’s1 print work, following a con¬ ference held on the coast between the heads of two companies. This will result in the closing down of Universal’s own laboratories on the coast. Metro Shows Big Profit In Its Annual Report Metro Goldwyn Pictures Corporation showed a profit of $4,702,257.71 for the year ending August 31, a high that was three times the profit of the season before. Earning on each share of preferred was $31.26, comparing with $8.65 the year before. United Artists Theatre Circuit Inc., showed a loss of $126,703 after depreciation, etc. Stanley Company of America, Warner sub¬ sidiary, showed a loss of $2,590,296 for the year ended August 25. This was an increase over the year before. Ostrer Returns for “The Iron Duke” Opening Max Ostrer, chairman of the board of Gaumont British, plans to return to this country from England to be present when “The Iron Duke,” Gaumont British picture, premieres in this country. Ostrer personally signed Arliss for the show, picked the vehicle and arranged the English premiere as well as making a visit to English key points to sell exhibitors on the picture. Warner Officers Elected At Routine Meeting Warner Brothers will again be headed by Harry M. Warner, president, and the same group of officers as before following a routine election held recently. Costume, Classic Pictures Still Big Numbers The producers are still going way back for big picture material. With “The Little Min¬ ister,” “Anne of Green Gables,” “Girl of the Limberlost,” “Little Men,” “David Copperfield,” “Great Expectations” launched, several more are expected in “Vanity Fair,” “Laddie,” “Les Miserables” and others. Costume and classic stories are apparently the vogue. Most of the numbers go okay in some spots, but it cannot be said that all of them are terriffic grossers in every situation. Production Pace Unchecked, Survey Shows Coast production isn’t behind. Scrutiny of the different lots reveals that the producers are going ahead fast, with plenty of pictures ready for release and many more preparing. Metro Lot Undisturbed By Current Rumors Rumors of changes in Metro production setup haven’t stopped the company from turning out a good line of pictures. Folks who love to gossip mentioned this and that one as moving out and in, but as yet there hasn’t been any change.