Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1940)

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Page 6 GWTW Terms For 'Dictator' UA Gets 70% of Gross; Asks High Admissions in 1st Runs "The Great Dictator" is being sold under somewhat the same terms as "Gone With The Wind," United Artists asking and getting 70% of the gross and admission prices being boosted to 75 cents and $1.10. Harry L. Gold, vice president and eastern sales head of United Artists, said that exhibitors are clamoring for the picture and that there has been no opposition to the terms. These terms will apply "for some time to come," he said, and will be required on all first-run bookings. No indication has been given of what will be asked of subsequent run theatres, which in the case of "Gone With The Wind," paid the same percentage and charged the same admissions. Circuit deals have been set with Fox West Coast, Warner Bros., Mort Shea, Loew's and Balaban & Katz. Other circuit deals are pending and announcements are expected shortly. Laughton Honored at Cocktail Reception Charles Laughton, co-starring with Carole Lombard in RKO Radio's "They Knew What They Wanted," was host to the press and industry representatives at a cocktail party held Tuesday afternoon in his honor in the studio apartment of Radio City Music Hall. SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW October 19, 1940 Warner Bros.' film buyer, Clayton Bond, signs a contract with Vice President Harry Gold of United Artists for the exhibition of "The Great Dictator" on the circuit. It was the first circuit deal for the picture in the U. S. Gala Premiere for "Dictator" Huge Crowds, Attendance of Notables Mark Colorful Dual Opening; Chaplin Mulling 2-Reel Comedy Idea One of the most important events in recent years took place Tuesday evening in Times Square when Charlie Chaplin's "The Great Dictator," had its dual world premiere at the Astor and Capitol theatres. Long before thef— scheduled hour for the premiere, Broadway, in front of both houses, Fox-Wisconsin Amusement Co. Sued by Two Houses Milwaukee — Action has been brought in the Circuit Court here by the Oriental and Tower Theatres companies against FoxWisconsin Amusement Co., charging the firm with mismanagement of the Oriental and Tower theatres in Milwaukee during the three years it operated the houses, ending 1937. was a mass of humanity as traffic was brought almost to a standstill. The street was brilliantly illuminated for the gala occasion. Headed by Chaplin, Paulette Goddard and Jack Oakie, the audiences at both theatres were composed of the leading figures in every field of endeavor. The premiere was broadcast over Station WHN. For the first time in 12 years, Chaplin spoke over the radio during the special broadcast. Those attending included the following industry figures : Murray Silverstone, Will H. Hays, Jack L. Warner, Richard Barthelmess, Charles Laughton, Elsa Maxwell, Constance Collier, George J. Schaefer, Harry L. Cohn, Nicholas M. Schenck, Barney Balaban, Adolph Zukor, Major Albert Warner, Paul Block, Arthur W. Kelly, David O. Selznick, Walter Wanger, Joan Bennett, John Hay Whitney, Joan Crawford, W. G Van Schmus, Stanton Griffis, David Sarnoff, William S. Paley, Leo Spitz, J Cheever Cowdin, Nate Blumberg, Jacl Cohn, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Louis Nizer, Harry M. Warner, Harry L. Gold, Spyros Skouras, Harry D. Buckley, L. J Schlatter, and others. On Monday evening, an invita tion preview for the press was held at the Astor, with virtually every critic and columnist in the East at tending in addition to newspaper and magazine editors. At a press conference last Sunday afternoon, Chaplin expressed his de sire to make two-reel slapstick com edies. Although he had made no definite plans along those lines, he said, he had been considering the idea for some time. He admitted that the younger generation doesn't know him, and that short comedies might be a way of re-introducing himself and at the same time help to stimulate interest in short subjects. In answering questions concerning "The Great Dictator," Chaplin said his picture was a plea for humanity against barbarism, and expressed his belief that a little kindness and humanity are still the most important things in a technical world. Man's chief asset, he pointed out, is his ability to laugh, even under tragic conditions. The producer-comedian is in New York for his first visit in ten years. "The Great Dictator" is his first picture since "Modern Times" which was released in 1936. He has two other features in mind for future production, he said. One of these is "Regency," based on a novel, and the other is "The White Russian." Showdown On Duals Issue St. Louis Films Council Wants Theatremen Take Stand St. Louis — A showdown on the multiple feature issue here has been requested by the Better Films Council of Greater St. Louis, Inc. In a letter addressed to every theatre owner in the Council's territory, Mrs. Guy Randall, president, wrote: "We have been greatly concerned in the problem offered by double feature programs. We have, from the very beginning, taken a position in favor of the discontinuance of that policy. Long programs are a physical and mental strain on children and young people. Many family programs are marred by the presentation of an adult film with one rated for the family, and it is impossible to expect support for an outstanding film when it is shown with an inferior one. Now we have the threat of triple feature programs. We have never felt that it took a great deal of courage on the part of a business man to take a definite stand; that good business principles and practices demanded such a course. "We should like, by return mail, if possible, to have you express yourself on the subject of double and triple feature programs; to tell use whether or not you are for or against such practices. Also, we should like to know what your intentions are regarding such programs. Please tell us . . . whether or not you would join a movement to get back to the single feature program, whether you are going to continue double features, and whether or not you are going to show triple features." Director Garson Kanin and Producer Erich Pommer, whose current RKO Radio picture, "They Knew What They Wanted," is currently at Radio City Music Hall, were hosts to the press at a cocktail reception given last week at the Waldorf Astoria. Kanin (extreme left), is shown here chatting with (I. to r.) Thomas P. Durrell, RKO board member; Gordon Youngman, RKO attorney and W. J. Merrill, RKO vice-president. New Jersey Theatre Files $450,000 Anti-Trust Suit Newark, N. J.— A $450,000 suit, in which 8 major distributors were named defendants, was filed late last week in a Federal Court here by the Orange Theatre Corp., charging violation of the Sherman antitrust laws. Also listed as defendants were the Rayherst Amusement Corp. of Newark, , and its officers, and Harry Brandt, its booking agent. The plaintiff, operating the Treat Theatre here, charges that it was being forced out of business through a conspiracy by the distributors and the theatres on the Brandt circuit to monopolize second-run features. 3 MGM Pix for Music Hall Three MGM pictures, "Escape," "The Philadelphia Story" and "Bittersweet" have been booked for Fall showings at Radio City Music Hall. Triples Flare Up Again Chicago — Triples have taken a new lease on life here, with the competitive situation held responsible. ATOI Meet Nov. 25-26 Indianapolis — Decision to change the date of the ATO of Indiana convention from Nov. 11-12 to Nov. 25-26 was made this week at a meeting of the board of directors here.