Showmen's Trade Review (Apr-Jun 1939)

S 1 1 O W MEN'S T RAD I'. R V I K W Page 3 The Editorial Page AS WE VIEW IT Relief is even more important in New York than on the coast for those unfortunates of the industry who are sadly in need of temporary aid to tide them and their families over until they can take care of themselves. Great emphasis is placed, out in Hollywood, on the magnificent work being done and the funds being raised for relief purposes. But here in New York no one appears to be giving a good gosh-darn whether the less fortunate starve or become panhandlers. The M. P. Associates are doing their best but their best can only be a drop in the bucket. How about it Mr. Executives? Why not give a thought to the creation of a proper fund to take care of the industry's needy, help them find themselves and re-establish their faith in the industry they served so well? Under the right kind of leadership a substantial fund could be created and administered for the benefit of worthy people sadly in need of some aid. A A A The Goldwyn-UA squabble has reached the point where UA should either sell out to Goldwyn or buy him out. No use condemning a man because he wants to run the company. That's his ambition and he's entitled to his ambitions. On the UA side of the argument: throwing ''statements" back and forth will not solve the friction which has passed the conversation stage and is now open warfare. Seems to us that both parties need each other. But who is going to be able to convince them of that fact? A A A We would like to answer all the questions reaching us about film rentals, percentages, etc., but unfortunately we can't. The reason being that (and we are happy to say so) a more liberal sales policy will prevail with most of the major companies for the new selling season. While not at liberty to mention names and companies, we might point out what was told to us by one sales manager. He stated that his company's sales policy for next season would definitely be flexible and while i< would seek increases and additional percentage pictures in certain situations, no attempt would be made to force such conditions on the independent exhibitors whose business did not indicate such a course. On the contrary, he stated, any exhibitor who could convince the branch manager that he overpaid this season would gladly be sold at a lower price for next season. All of which may just be so much hooey or a genuine effort to recognize existing conditions. In the average city and town of this country a theatre's greatest opposition are the various sporting events held locally. Ask any theatreman what gives him the worst kick in the box office and he'll tell you right off: "Local basketball, hockey, or any other form of night sport." Which brings up the point: Why should newsreels give so much footage to the sports that are hurting the business of movie theatres? It would seem to this observer that far less emphasis or even a complete eHmination of such stuff in the newsreels would be pleasing to theatremen. Just look at how the newspapers are treating radio since they came to the conclusion that radio was their most harmful competitor. A A A Can the numerous sales-conventions and product announcements, most of them 'way ahead of last year's, be an indication that the companies are out to get their next selling season underway early? Or, as one person expressed it, perhaps the studios are so much advanced they felt they could proceed with their conventions and announcements much earlier than they did a year ago. At any rate, a most encouraging sign is the vast number of definite pictures, by title, that have been announced for the first quarter of the next season. This gives the buying exhibitors and circuits a much better opportunity of knowing what they will get and from whom. A A A Judging from the list of executives scheduled to attend the National Variety Club banquet in Detroit on the 29th, the industry might consider making it a double bill and holding a convention of their own at the same time. It is a marvelous tribute to the brains that conceived the idea as well as those who are carrying it forward, that the Variety Clubs have attracted so much respect and attention throughout the industry. Which brings us to the logical question: "Will you be at the banquet?" AAA The success of the previous Will Rogers National Theatre Week campaigns should be duplicated and even exceeded this year. The purposes of the Fund have been expanded and those in charge of it are doing a magnificent job worthy of your best efforts to aid them. The presentation of the special trailer and the daily collection among your patrons is the best manner of supporting the drive and theatremen everywhere are urged to do everything in their power to back up the drive. —"CHICK" LEWIS