Showmen's Trade Review (Jul-Sep 1942)

/»/_v 25. 1942 S H O \\' E X • S TRADE R E \' I E W 7 Exhibitors Watching Delivery Changes; Fear Show Time Cuts Goldwyn for 40% Cut in Production and No More Double Features Stating that the major circuits must initiate the move, Sam Goldwyn, at an interview with trade press reporters in New York this week, again attacked double-features, offered the plan of universal single billing as the only practical means of cutting the consumption of raw stock as a war conservation measure. Brushing aside such suggestions as limitation of screen credits, and even positive print reductions, as mere picayune efforts, Goldwyn said that feature production should be reduced by 40 per cent, and the raw stock thus saved would be only one of a double benefit — because, he believes, more people would be better entertained were pictures shown singly and the producers committed to a program of quality rather than quantity output. Goldwyn was in New York in connection with the premiere of "The Pride of the Yankees" and conferences with RKO executives regarding the selling policy for the picture he said was produced at a cost of about $1,700,000. At the time of the interview he said decision had been made as to the terms under which the saga of Lou Gehrig would be offered to exhibitors. Longer playing time and increased admissions for pictures of proved merit, the producer said, are an absolute necessity for the motion picture industry. He could see no merit to the argument of exhibitors that changing price scales adversely affect theatre operations, pointing out that pictures like "Gone With the Wind," "Sergeant York" and others commanded increased box-office prices and "the public was glad to pay the advance." Unless the large circuits institute the single bill policy, Goldwyn continued,, there is no hope of getting this practice established as he contends it should be for the good of theatres and the industry generally. Goldwyn regards as vestiges of a past and dead era the rapid changes of programs, doublebilling, and opposition to increased admissions. He cited the fact that his first picture, "The Squaw Man," and he added "it was a good picture," got just one day booking time for its New York first run some 25 years ago. The proposed amendments to the consent decree he also regards as a step back. "This year," he said, "Holh'wood has produced the finest pictures it has ever made." That was due, Goldwyn contends, to the selling in blocks of not more than five features at a time. Without naming them (but adding that he would name them, should any one of the three executives referred to challenge his statement) Goldwyn said that the presidents of three companies told him they believe the five-picture provisions of the original consent decree superior to the UMPI proposals to sell in blocks of 13. The companies these men head went along with the UMPI program because they feared to antognize the exhibitors who favored the plan and not because they believed it an improvement, Goldwyn said. 1942-43 Autry Films to Be Made and Released Republic Pictures Corporation announces that Gene Autry's induction into the U. S. Army Air Corps Wednesday last will in no way affect its 1942-43 releasing program. Two of Autry's pictures, "Call of the Canyon" and "Bells of Capristrano," have already been completed and will be released shortly. Two others are now in preparation and expected to go into production shortly. Scripts are in preparation for the additional four Autry's on the 42-43 schedule and it is expected that the company will be able to complete these at satisfactory intervals. The recently perfected plans of the National Film Carriers Association to rearrange delivery of film to conform to O.D.T. rulings are receiving serious study by exhibitors. Any disruption of the scheduled run of deliveries and pickups can be calculated to effect the established theatre routine and may possibly work to the disadvantage of the box-office. Certain it is that no matter what action the carriers may take to curtail services to theatres it is the exhibitor who will be adversely affected and it is well that all operators, particularly those in the small towns and the neighborhoods, keep abreast of the plans being concocted and arrange for group protest where such plans may bring about possible missouts or curtailment of exhibition hours. Elimination of pickups and deliveries on one or two days each week and the setting up of arbitrary hours for delivery and pickup on other days will undoubtedly result in material savings for the carriers but the effect on theatres and distributors is certain to be wideh' felt. Playing policies of long standing will have to be changed in situations where the present call for new film is in conflict with the new established delivery dates — or the distributor must carry the burden of having his print tied up through delivery prior to scheduled exhibition date. In the instance of two or more theatres in one community, now conducting openings on staggered dates, they will either have to get together for day and date changes or arrange to pass the buck to the distributor for delivery of film prior to play date. Early morning pickup and deliver)^ will have little or no effect on theatres since, for the most part, arrangements have been perfected where the carrier driver carries keys to the theatre. Evening pickups are another matter. A theatre playing an exceedingly long program might find it necessary to arrange for an entire change in playing schedule — perhaps even have to close the box office at a much earlier hour — if the time of pickup and delivery is set too early. The distributor, too, has a problem to look after in that any change in the current schedule of pickups and deliveries will demand that an additional one or two days be allowed for transportation. This again will reflect to the disadvantage of the theatre operator who will find himself confronted with deferred playing time due to delayed availability. If the curtailment of carrier service is overly stressed it is more than likely that clearance will revert to a problem of print availability and all exhibitors playing behind first run will have to "give and take" in accordance with the new service setup. Columbia Trade Showing "The Talk of the Town" Columbia is trade showing "The Talk of the Town" in various key spots from coast to coast. Screenings were held in Buffalo, July 20 ; Kansas City, July 21 ; Boston and New York, Julv 22 ; St. Louis, July 23. The schedule also called for showings in Omaha, July 24; Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Oklahoma City, Des Moines and Dallas on July 27th ; Chicago, Washington, New Haven, Denver and Salt Lake City, July 28 ; Detroit and Cincinnati, July 29 ; San Francisco, Seattle and Portland, July 20, and Cleveland, July 31. A. Alontague, sales head of Columbia, and Rube Jackter from the home office, attended many of the showings and will be on hand for several of the trade screenings next week. "The Talk of the Town" has been booked for Radio City Music Hall, where the picture starring Gary Grant, Jean Arthur and Ronald Colman will have its premiere in the New York territory.