Theatre Catalog (1946-47)

few of our pictures to 16-mm. We have tried to restrict the use of such pictures as we have reduced to what could be termed as “locked in” situations, and in mo case to be used in competition with our 35-mm. accounts. I agree with you that a great deal more thought will be given to the narrow gauge film in the immediate future than has been given tm the past. Since we have been very slow in the past to promote the 16-mm. field, we are going to be equally slow in forming a policy for the future, believing it is better to observe and watch carefully what would be best for our accounts us a whole and for the company itself. When we do arrive at a definite policy, we will be only too anxious to let you know all the particulars. From William F. Rodgers, MGM vicepresident and general manager of sales and distribution: In response to your specific inquiries, please be advised: one, we are not now considering any activities in the domestic market on 16-mm. In view of my response to your first inquiry, the second and third specific questions do not require any answers. From Samuel Steve Broidy, president of Monogram: With respect to Monogram’s intentions insofar as the future of 16-mm. film is concerned, there is nothing more that I can add to the conversation that we had in New York. We have not done anything in this connection for the past three years. It is not our present intention to do anything in the near future that we can anticipate at this moment with respect to 16-mm. film. If we do change our minds and make any definite moves in this direction, I shall most certainly contact you, and advise -you of our plans. From Charles M. Reagan, Paramount vice-president and general sales manager: In response to your letter with reference to 16-mm. film, I wish to assure you that our first interest will continue to be that of our customers with permanent investments and established theatres. We have made available relatively few pictures in 16-mm., and have always exercised a careful control over their distribution. We have no intention of altering this policy currently, and, as a matter of fact, have recently curtailed this distribution further. ; From Harry H. Thomas, PRC president and general sales manager: : With respect to your first question, may I say we have not set a definite policy yet regarding the 16-mm. film. Pathe Industries, ow: parent corporation, does own a 16-mm. company called Pictorial Films which distributes 16-mm., and which naturally gives us pretty broad control over their operation. However, when we do know more about our own policy in connection with this type of product, I will be very glad to communicate with you further. ; From Ned E. Depinet, RKO Radio vice-chairman of the board and execuive vice-president: f ee sa ans to your questions are as follows: 1. Yes. 2. We will continue control of the distribution, whether same Py handled by ourselves or farmed out. * We will, as always, give consideration to 1946-47 THEATRE CATALOG AT THE PREMIERE of “The People’s Choice” at the Marcal Theatre, the picture's star, Lovise Arthur, and the director, Harry Fraser, engage in a pre-screening chat for many listeners to KMPC’s 710 kilocycles. our present established customers. Regarding the balance of your question No. 3, we do not know of any established 16-mm. theatres. If 16-mm. theatres are established, we will consider and determine our course in respect to each applicant when and as they appear. From James R. Grainger, executive vice-president and general sales manager of Republic: We are reviewing the 16-mm situation, but as of this date have made no definite decision. I am, therefore, in no position to answer the questions in your letter. From Thomas J. Connors, vice-president in charge of sales for 20th CenturyFox: Prior to my becoming connected with 20th Century-Fox, a contract was entered into and is still in existence for the distribution of 16-mm. film through Films, Inc., 380 West 42nd Street, New York City. We retain definite control as to what subjects are available in various categories, and we have a requirement that every location served by them must have our company’s approval. They do not distribute 16-mm. film to theatres, and we do not anticipate servicing theatres with 16-mm. film in the immediate future. It is our belief that a certaant amount of 16-mm. film is necessary, and that a controlled distribution of the pictures will prove an advantage rather than a detriment to owr established 35mm. theatre accounts. ; From Gradwell L. Sears, vice-president of United Artists: I do not believe you have a great deal to worry about in the case of United Artists on the subject of 16-mm. competition. In the first instance, United Artists does not control the 16-mm. rights on the pictures which it distributes. These 16-mm. rights usually revert to the producer some five or so years after we start distributing the picture. After our distributing rights expire, the producer is then at liberty to dispose of the 16-mm. rights as he sees fit, and, in most cases in the past, this has been done by an agent of the producer. Therefore, answering the items contained in your letter specifically—1. No. 2. We do not intend to farm out 16-mm. distribution. 3. Chances are the majority of our pictures will no longer be reduced to 16-mm. ezcept for use in the zones of occupation, and we have no intention of distributing 16-mm. films in opposition to regular constituted theatres. From William A. Scully, Universal general sales manager: _ In answering your various questions, tt is the intent of our company to make 16-mm. feature films but only that part of owr product which we believe suitable for non-theatrical showing. It is the intention to have complete control of the distribution of such 16-mvm. film, and our distributors of these prints cannot book any situation without first the approval of our local branch manager, in which territory the film is being shown, and second by the representative of Universal Films, Inc., who is in charge of the distribution of 16-mm. film in New York. In reference to your third question, we do not contemplate supplying any 16-mm. film to any established theatre or any theatres to-be-established, and neither do we contemplate having our 16-mm. film interfere with the showing of our 35mm. film in any theatre throughout the country. It has always been our established policy that we will not approve the showing of our 16-mm. film in any situation that interferes with present theatre operation. From Benjamin Kalmenson, Warners vice-president in charge of sales: Tt is impossible for me at this particular moment to tell you what my company’s policy will be in this respect, as the foreign field and many other conditions in the ever changing future may make it advisable for us to develop that phase. However, I can tell you prior to the war, we never put any of our subjects on 16-mm. film, and never licensed any of our product to be put on 16-mm. film to be distributed by anyone. As far as I know, we have no intention of doing so in the future. At the moment I can tell you very definitely that we are not going into the 16-mm. field, and I am sure that is the answer you desire. IMPORTANCE OF PROBLEM That exhibitors realize the importance of the problem is well known. For quite some time, Allied has had a committee investigating the problem, and while no solution is as yet forthcoming, pending some certainty as to the availability of product, the obvious answer is that the exhibitors should keep a careful watch on what is going on in their territories, and even get into the field if they have to. Of course, many exhibitors have been experimenting with 16-mm. in their theatres. Some have found that taking a local newsreel, and showing it on their screens, with a commentary supplied by the public address system, has proved an asset at the box office. What the exhibitor would like to know is whether a producer-distributor would use the 16-mm. threat to force a deal. For example, if a distributor faile1 to come to terms with an established exhib itor, would that distributor rent a hall or even a large store in the town or area, and, after complying with the fire laws, exhibit a 16-mm. version of the picture? It is not difficult to picture a situation 547