Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1949)

©CIB 21B40^ SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW, October 29, 1949 ndependent Production Steve Broidy sounds a sensible note when he says that independent exhibition must support independent production. Steve is undoubtedly right. But the cause he champions has been hurt during these past few years by an over-supply of mediocre pictures whose independent producers took the position that exhibitors were obhgated to take them off the hook by buying and booking regardless of the quahty or box-office potential of the product. We do, however, go along with that independent producer who frankly admitted that his picture was not good but was, at the very least, just as good as some of the turkeys from the majors which so many exhibitors found a spot for. Had they done as much for this picture its producer might have suffered only a small loss on his investment. Instead, he took such a financial beating that he had a tough time getting financing for his ncAt production. Unless exhibitors encourage independent production by giving it the benefit of playing time consistent with its box-office potential, they are simply helping to maintain and perpetuate the sellers' market which has existed for much too long a time. The NEFC, the financing company organized by exhibitors to help independent production, is predicated entirely upon this very important theory. Other exhibitors not in a position to participate financially can, at the very least, help the cause by giving every consideration to all product financed by NEFC. Thus, their contribution is equally as important as those who are putting money into it. It represents the kind of cooperative team-work that can help solve that sellers' market problem and insure for exhibition an adequate supply of salable product. There are many independent exhibitors who devote too much time and energy to griping and name-calling when they could be lending a helping hand where it can do them — and independent producers — a lot of good. You'll meet them around the country and you'll hear how everybody and everything about the industry is no good. What we all need is lots less complaining, lawsuits and name-calling and a lot more cooperation, especially between independent exhibition, distribution and production. The independent producers are vitally important to this industry and every time an independent exhibitor takes advantage of them, he's just kicking himself in the shins. Will Rogers Hospito On the recent inspection tour of the Variety ClubsWill Rogers Hospital by representatives of local Tents, several in the party told us they knew of one or two cases of tuberculosis among industry people in their localities and thought such persons deserved the facilities this institution offered. When we asked why these people did not apply for admission to the Hospital, the answer was that they didn't believe the people they referred to were aware that they are eligible for admission. We do not know what else could have been done beyond the educational campaign instituted this past summer by Bob O'Donnell to carry the information to all corners of the industry. Letters were channeled to all companies in the industry — producers, distributors, exhibitors, supply dealers and service concerns. In addition, all Variety Club Tents throughout the country passed the same good word along through their members. While it is quite possible that there are still many industry people who are unaware of the fact that the Variety Clubs-Will Rogers Hospital is open to industry people requiring treatment for tuberculosis, there surely must be large numbers in every area who can carry the good word to them. Furthermore, they can be on the lookout for deserving cases that, with proper care and attention, can be restored to health, especially if we can get them into the Hospital before the disease is too far advanced. To you who read this, may we again aslc your cooperation. Please pass the word around in your territory and watch out for any industry people who might be afflicted with tuberculosis so you can help them apply for admission. If you have any doubt, send us a collect telegram and we'll answer you promptly. The Variety Clubs-Will Rogers Hospital is the industry's very own Hospital. Let's make sure we use it to the limit of its capacity and ability to render a cure for what once was the most dreaded disease but which today (thanks to medical science) can be licked ninety-nine times out of a hundred. —CHICK LEWIS SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW. Title and Trade Mark Registered U. S. Patent Office. Published every Friday by Showmen's Trade Revie%v, Inc., 1501 Broadway. Vew York 18, N. Y. Telephone, LOngacre 3-0121. Charles E. 'Chick' Lewis, Editor and Publisher; Tom Kennedy, Executive Editor; Ralph Cokain. Managing Editor; Merlin C. Lewis, Film Advertising Manager; Harold Rendall, Equipment Advertising Manager. West Coast Office, 6777 Hollywood Boulevard. Hollywood 28, California; Telephone HOUywood 2055; Ann Lewis, Manager. London Representative, Jock MacGregor, 16 Leinster Mews, London W.2; Telephone AMbassador 3601. Member .^udit Bureau of Circulation. Address all correspondence to the New York office. Cable address: "Showmen's New York."