Showmen's Trade Review (1939)

Page 4 SHOWMEN'S T RADE REVIEW July 1, 1939 Exhibitors for Code Despite Allied Rejection, Says Kent Pact Will Be Extended to Exhibs Who Want It, Chairman Declares Sidney R. Kent, 20th-Fox prexy and chairman of the Distributors' Negotiating Committee, stated on his arrival from South America this week that "I would rather take my chances with Thurman Arnold than with3> : Abram Myers, because Arnold has S. R. Kent a job to do according to the law and he is doing it," when apprised of the fact that Allied had flatly rejected the proposed Trade Practice Code. "But," h e continued, "you can't tell what is in Myers' mind ; I don't think it is peace." He added that "nothing we could offer would be acceptable to Allied. The distributors have gone as far as they can." Even though Allied as a unit rejected the Code, Kent pointed out that it would still be extended to individual members who want it, and added that "I believe that individual members of Allied will accept the pact in addition to exhibitor groups and individuals who have indicated that it would be acceptable to them. I think the Code is fair and I hope that our company can put it into operation as soon as possible, barring any legal delays." It has been intimated on several occasions, according to an opinion expressed by Kent, that the Code might be acceptable to Allied if theatre divorcement was effectuated. It was "presumptuous" on the part of Myers, he asserted, to even expect the distributors to talk with Allied on divorcement. Free Movies Bait Neillsville, Wis. — To lure dancers, the Silver Dome ballroom here is again showing free motion pictures. N. Y. FUND LISTS INDUSTRY GIFTS Additional contributions received in the Amusements Division of the Greater New York Fund point to increasingly widespread support of the current campaign. The appeal on behalf of 380 voluntary health and social welfare agencies is made exclusively to business firms and employe groups. Additional gifts were announced as follows: $2,500— United Artists Corp., Radio Keith Orpheum Corp. ; $1,000 — Columbia Pictures Corp. ; $500— Walt Disney Productions; $250 — J. E. Brulatour, Inc., Dupont Film Mfg. Corp., Inc.; $150— Universal Corp., Agfa Ansco Corp. (additional); $100 — International Projector Corp., Interboro Circuit, Inc.; $50— Rapf & Ruden, Gallic Films, Inc., Lenauer Int'l Films, Inc., Arthur Mayer and Joseph Butstyn, Pax Films, Inc., World Pictures Corp. ; $30 — Bee-Ko Co., Inc. ; $25 — Elton Operating Corp. (Elton Theatre). Goldberg Bros., H.E.R. Laboratories, Inc., J. H. Hoffberg, Inc., Lincoln Theatres. Inc., Lloyd's Film Storage Corp., Premier Films, Inc., Thomfilms, Inc., Ulmer-Hayward, Unity Films, Inc., Walter O. Gutlohn, Inc. 389 NEGRO HOUSES Survey Reveals Decline In Number Since 1929 There are now 389 theatres scattered through 28 states catering to the Negro, it was revealed this week in a checkup made by the Motion Picture Division of the Department of Commerce, headed by Nathan D. Golden. Although described as tentative, the figure shows a decline in the number of colored houses during the last decade. In 1929 there were 501, according to an index maintained by Film Daily. With an aggregate of 39 houses, Florida and New York each top the present roster, with Texas coming in second with 26. Virginia third with 22, and Illinois fourth with 21. Rivoli Closes Doors For Alterations )ack Benny, Waukegan, III., boy who made good, trains out of his home town after the big celebration for the premiere of Paramount's "Man About Town." At table with Jack is his daughter Joan. Mary Livingstone and Phil Harris are seen in the background. Following the final showing of "Stolen Life" Thursday night, the N. Y. Rivoli closed its doors in order to complete extensive alterations and refurnishings prior to opening Wednesday, July 6, with the world premiere of Samuel Goldwyn's "They Shall Have Music." Okays Tavern Movies Newark, N. J. — With the provision that "the entertainment be kept under control," State Alcoholic Beverage Commissioner Burnett has approved showing of motion pictures in taverns. "There is nothing intrinsically wrong about movies in taverns or barrooms any more than television, the radio or a floor show," Burnett stated. SEEKS APPROVAL OF CAN. EXHIBS Toronto — Plans are being made for a dominion-wide meeting of Canadian exhibitors to ratify the program of the newly formed AntiProtection League, it was stated here over the week-end. At that time the expansion of original plans will be presented for endorsement, it was stated. J. O. Scott, chairman of the League's central committee, said that "we aim to set up an authority, self-regulating or government." The choice, he said, "is entirely up to the opposition." He added that the League preferred to conciliate, but that "we are tired of shadow-boxing and parleying." PROJECTORS' DEBUT Brenkert Machines Go Into Use at New Ky. Theatre Latonia, Ky. — The first pair of the new Brenkert projectors went into use with the opening this week here of Louis Wiethe's Kentucky Theatre. Among many notables attending the preview were Wayne D. Brenkert and William L. Odium, sales manager and service engineer respectively of the Brenkert Light Projection Co., and Jake Gelman and Jack Stallings of the MidWest Theatre Supply Co., Cincinnati, who made the installation. Hicks on Hegira To Australia John W. Hicks, Jr., vice-president in charge of Paramount's foreign distribution, left New York this week for Vancouver, B. C. He was accompanied by Mrs. Hicks and their son, John W. Hicks, III. They will sail from Vancouver on board the S. S. Niagara July 5, bound for Australia. In Honolulu one week later they will be joined by Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Zukor, and the entire party will reach Sydney July 29. Warners Close With Blumenfeld Circuit Deals have been closed by Warners with the J. Blumenfeld circuit of 15 houses with headquarters in San Francisco for the company's 1939-40 product. This is in line with Warners' policy to sell away from FWC. Negotiations with the following theatres have also been concluded : State, Ft. Collins, Colo. ; Lyric, Billings, Mont. ; Palace, Missoula, Mont. ; Lyric, Butte, Mont. ; Acme, Vancouver. SEE INTEREST IN MEETING N. Y. Allied Will Set Policies July 6 A state-wide meeting of New York Allied has been called by Max Cohen, president, to be held in Syracuse, July 6. Promising that something "very, very interesting" will result, Cohen refused to elaborate further on the nature of the sessions. Observers believe, however, that official definitions of the New York unit's policies on the Code, Government regulation and other problems will be made at the meeting. Because the New York unit has maintained an "on the fence" attitude as far as Allied policies are concerned, although it gave a pledge of loyalty to the national organization at the New York convention last month, the trade is regarding the meeting with interest. Admitting national leaders regarded him as the "bad boy" of the organization, Cohen declared his aims were constructive. That New York Allied would "fight for further negotiations for a bill of rights, without Government regulation, for the independent exhibitors" he definitely stated. Weeks on Exchange Tour George W. Weeks, vice-president in charge of sales for Monogram, departed over the week-end for a 6-weeks tour of 21 exchanges. He will cover Monogram's middlewest. southwest, coast, northwest and Canadian offices, and is due back in New York the middle of August. SHOWMEN'S _ MOTION PICTURE Trade Review Vol. 30. No. 23 July I 1939 Title and Trade Mark Reg. U. S. Pat. Off. Charles E. "Chick" Lewis Editor and Publisher TOM KENNEDY Associate Editor IOS. H. GALLAGHER Film Advt. Mgr. HAROLD RENDALL Equip Advt. Mgr. ROBERT WILE Managing Editor WEST COAST OFFICE ANN LEWIS, West Coast Manager Guaranty Bldg., 6331 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, Cal., Tel. HOIIywood 1390 CHICAGO REPRESENTATIVE MARSHALL REINIG 612 No. Michigan Ave., Chicago, III. Telephone: Superior 7646 FOREIGN REPRESENTATIVE JOCK MacGRECOR, 20 Porrsea Place Hyde Park, W., London, Eng. Showmen's Trade Review is published weekly by Showmen's Trade Review. Inc. Publication office, 34 North Crystal St., East Stroudsburg, Pa. Editorial and advertisingoffices, 1501 Broadway, New York City. _ Tel.: Bryant 9-5606. Subscription price in the United States and Canada, $2.00 per year. Foreign $5.00 per year. Single copies, ten cents. Subscribers should remit with order. All contents copyrighted 1939.