Showmen's Trade Review (1939)

Page 4 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW July 22, 1939 SEE GOV'T AS C0LDT0C0DE TNEC Report Cited as Proof of Indifference Washington — The TNEC recommended O'Mahoney measure, which involves the D of J "civil remedies" plan to bolster anti-trust law enforcement, is expected to encounter strenuous Congressional opposition at the next session. The film industry is interested in the TNEC preliminary report because of its apparent philosophy, describable as "enforced competition in business." This is in reverse to former Administration concept, symbolized by the NRA with the industry codes and almost complete suspension of the anti-trust laws. Observers feel the reversal in policy may be why the Government is seemingly indifferent to the film industry's attempts to set up a trade practice code, and why the D of J is moving so resolutely in trust suit prosecutions. Meanwhile, general problems facing the exhibitors and the industry were presented to Commerce Dept. officials this week by Harry Brandt, president of ITOA of New York. With the Neely bill passed by the Senate, Col. Cole, president, and Abram F. Myers, general counsel of Allied, were also scheduled for confabs with Commerce officials. Brandt's conference was of a general nature. Conferences on the revision of the arbitration clauses of the trade practice code were expected to be resumed by sales managers. Goetz Again Heads Cincy Bookers Club Cincinnati — Joe Goetz, assistant division manager of RKO Theatres here, was elected president of the Cincinnati Film Booker's Club for the fourth consecutive year. James Brunetti, of Warners, was re-elected secretary-treasurer. The election was held at Cincinnati's Saratoga Club, July 14. Senate Passes Neely Bill; No Hope For House Action Latter Would Not Consider Measure Unless Hearings Could Be Held Says Leader UA CLOSES DEALS WITH ^CIRCUITS Fox Metropolitan, Durkee and Rome Chains Involved Although the Senate passed the Neely Bill this week for the second time in two years, there is no hope of its becoming law this session. The House of Representatives, according to ^"Clarence F. Lea, chairman of the Interstate Commerce Committee would not act without holding hearings on the measure and with Congress slated to adjourn within two weeks, there will be no time. The bill was bitterly fought on the Senate floor, among the opponents being Senator King of Utah, who referred to a letter from William Green, president of the A. F. of L., opposing the bill, on the ground that it would bankrupt many producers and throw many men out of work. r Party lines were crossed in the vote on the measure which was 46-28. When the bill passed the Senate last year the vote was not recorded but only six could be identified as opposed to it. Senator King in speaking on the Neely Bill characterized it as unconstitutional and pointed out that the amendments offered by Senator Neely last week did not answer the objections. The bill now must be repassed by the Senate and also voted on by the House of Representatives as no legislation is ever carried over from one session to another. Three important circuit deals have been completed for the exhibition of the entire program of United Artists releases for the 1939-40 season, it was announced last weekend by Harry Gold, UA vicr-prexy. The first of these was with the Fox Metropolitan Theatres operated by George Skouras, with Charles Stern, eastern district manager, and Clarence Eiseman, New York branch manager, handling the deal in behalf of UA, and John Benas and William White on behalf of the theatre chain. The second deal was made with the Durkee Circuit of Baltimore, with Stern and Fred Rohrs, Washington branch manager, acting for UA, and Frank Durkee for the circuit. The third deal was made with the Rome Circuit. Seletsky to New Haven Sam Seletsky has been appointed manager of the New Haven branch for Republic. Herman Rifkin, New England franchise holder, in announcing the change said that George Rabinowitz, the former manager will occupy a post on the sales staff of the Boston office. Holland N. Y. Visitor Sid Holland, manager of the Elco Theatre, Elkhart, Ind., was in New York this week. MPGY Drive Cost $895,556 Corporation Still Has $92,587; Statement of Income and Expenses Is Given The Motion Pictures' Greatest Year Campaign last Fall cost $895,556.05, according to a financial statement rendered by accountants to the general committee. The drive corporation still has on hand $92,587.01, ac" cording to the statement. There are certain liabilities yet to be liquidated which will have to be paid out of this surplus, it was explained. Among the debts still owing are an order for 25,000 press books, legal services rendered by Phillips and Nizer, a page advertisement in the New York Sun, expenses en tailed by Paramount in the preparation of a trailer and the sales tax on accessories. This amounts to $18,485.93 and remains unpaid because of the failure of the parties to agree to a settlement. Participants in the campaign contributed $988,143.06 of which the distributors paid $500,000, the affiliated theatres $250,000 and independent exhibitors the balance. MANY EXHIBS AT "GESTE PREVIEW Albany, N. Y. — First of the series of trade and press screenings for Paramount's "Beau Geste" was held here this week at the Madison Theatre. Among those attending were the following exhibitors : Moe Silver, Charles Smakwitz, Max Freedman, Joe Weinstein, Jules Curley, Andy Roy, Robert Rosenthal and Al Laflamme, of Warner Brothers; Lou Golding, Joe Shure, Sol Ullman, Irving Liner, Louis Rosenthal and Phil Rapp, of Fabian Circuit; Frank Williams and Frank Walsh of Saratoga; C. A. Landman, Manchester Depot; Abe Stone, Albany; Frank Wicting, Cobleskill; Charlie Wilson, Troy; John Gardner, Schenectady: Morris Silverman, Schenectady; Dayton LaPointe, Chatham; Sam Milberg, Scotia. TWO PRODUCT DEALS Republic Closes With Circuits In New England Two deals were closed this week by Republic for its 1939-40 product. One was with the Interstate Theatre Circuit of Boston, Mass., operating 32 houses in the New England territory. The other was with the Maine arid New Hampshire Theatres Circuit, Boston, Mass., operating 21 houses in the same territory. James R. Grainger, Herman Rifkin, New England franchise holder, and E. Storey, Boston office manager, negotiated the deals. STEFFES TO GET$15,000 Salary Is Voted To N. W. Allied Head Reelection of W. A. Steffes as president of Northwest Allied at a salary of $15,000 for three years is taken by observers to indicate the death knell for the proposed Northwest buying combine. Steffes expects to appoint a committee to work on the project and report in September. Last week's meeting was held behind closed doors from which the trade press was barred. There were 24 members present, smallest attendance in a long time. The organization is said to have 46 members in good standing. Steffes, in accepting the presidency did an about face, for he had repeatedly stated that he would not accept the office again. New Albany Mono. Exchange Opens The new Albany Monogram exchange has opened at 1076 Broadway, according to Harry Berkson, franchise holder in Upper New York State. The Albany branch will be under Berkson's supervision with Gene Lowe and Sam Milbery as salesmen. Daughter to Wed Miss Ruth Golden, daughter of Edward A. Golden, Monogram v.-p., has announced her engagement to Laurence Witten of New York City. SHOWMEN'S MOTION PICTURE Trade Review Vol. 30, No. 26 July 22, 19139 Title and Trade Mark Reg. U. S. Pat. Off. Charles E. "Chick" Lewis Editor and Publisher TOM KENNEDY Associate Editor JOS. 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. Hollywood 1390 CHICAGO REPRESENTATIVE MARSHALL REIN IC 612 No. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Telephone: Superior 7646. FOREIGN REPRESENTATIVE |OCK MacCRECOR, 20 Portsea 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 advertising offices, 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,