Variety (May 1946)

Wednesday, May 29, 1946 Variety PICTURES 11 SELL PHONO RECORDS IN PKERS Foreign Censors More Liberal; Lift Moral Political Taboos Vs. U.S. Pix While domestic bluenoses threaten* to clamp on stiller film regulations, loreign governments are moving in the opposite direction with Increas- ing liberalization of scissoring activi- ties evidenced throughout the world. The strong trend, initiated under the impact of war conditions, is cur- rently on the upbeat, with no signs of lessening, h.o. foreign execs say. Easing of taboos which hamstrung distribution of American films in pre-war days is three-pronged with lightened strictures against Ameri- canisms, morality and political sub- jects in effect. Franker treatment of the seamier side of life is now permitted in most foreign lands, it is said. Wartime newsreels, which as never before de- picted the brutality of war, accus- tomed both foreign officials and the populace to a realistic presentation of physical violence, execs believe. Moreover, the stronger verbal ex- pressions which countries such as • England frowned upon previously are now generally acceptable when called for by the situation. Political bans which bedeviled in- dustry foreign departments in . the pre-war and hostility days are off for the most pa*rt.' Neutral countries then.feared even innocent buildups of democratic conditions in films as an act against the totalitarian na- tions. Other countries, satellites of the Nazis, scanned between the lines for fancied propaganda. As things now stand, sole ban is against pro- fascist material with the stricture no problem to American producers. England Easing Censorship downgrade . is most noticeable in England. Former Brit- ish stand against depictions of bru- tality, crime portrayals and death cell scenes has been eased consider- (Continued on page 24) $36,472,413 March Tax On Admissions for U.S., $7,400,000 Over 1945 Washington, May 28. Show biz held up handsomely throughout the nation in:March on the basis of admissions tax collec- tions reported tonight (28) by the Bureau of Internal Revenue. Uncle Sam's take at the 20% bite was a fat $36,472,413, about $100,000 better than the preceding boff month of February, and $7,400,000 above the figures for March, 1945. It was one of the highest amusement tax receipts on record here. Almost 90% of the figures are estimated to come from picture houses, but legit, nite- ries and professional sports are also Included. Business was fine on Broadway, but fell off from February's hypoed take. Figures for the Third New York Internal Revenue District, ail of Manhattan above 23rd street, showed a theatre tax collection of $5,286,936. which was about $750,000 below the preceding month, but over $500,000 better than in March of 1949 Manhattan's niteries kicked into the tax man with $636,763, which was $126,000 below February and $140,000 under March, 1945, but nevertheless good. The Broadway ticket brokers turned in a tax of $49,228, or $2,000 . under the preceding month.. Int's Production Sked Becomes U Problem Hollywood, May 28. Production schedule for Interna- tional has developed into an enigma, with six pictures to go on its releas- ing deal with United World, and only a limited amount of shooting space at the Universal studio. Currently Universal is accommo- dating more productions than at any time in several years. Indies, Rank Hypo UA Release Sked Change for the better wrought in United Artists' release situation by Hollywood's heavy switch to indie production is reflected in its current schedule. With 13 films already re- leased this season, UA has 11 more editing or awaiting release and eight before the cameras. Some 25 stories are also in various stages of preparation, with perhaps half of them destined to make the grade. All in all, the product re- leased and anticipated represents the work of 21 producers, plus three pix from various J. Arthur Rank outfits in England. Producers represented on the UA slate are Benedict Bogeausr Bing Crosby, Sol Lesser,. Loew-Lewin, Hunt . Stromberg, Buddy Rogers- Ralph Cohn, Lewis Rachmil, Sey- mour Nebenzal, Charles Chaplin, Andrew Stone, Charles Rogers, David O. Selznick, William Cagney, Preston Sturges, Jules Levey, Arn- old Prcssburger, Edward Golden, Sig Schlager, Sam Coslow, Boris Morros- Wllliam LcBaron, and Mary Pick- ford. WARNERS' SALES DRIVE RUNNING AHEAD OF'45 With this year's Warner sales drive running ahead of all others billings have hit as high as $1,000,- 000 in a single week, it is under- stood. The drive, which began March "31 and was to have ended-July . 27, will be extended to Aug. 17, it has been decided. Prizes, reportedly entailing more of a money outlay than for any other sales push, will include two automo- biles,, one for the district manager running first, the other ior the branch manager coming out on top. In addition there will be two trips to South America and a long list of prizes in the lorm of.vlotory bonds. Theatre Ads Get First Call in Pitt Strike As 'Public Service'; Other Towns NSG Hollywood, May 28. Prospects of a $10,000,000 candy and popcorn gross during the com- ing, year is influencing National Theatres to broaden its theatre mer- chandising to include records, sheet music, and other popular items. The circuit pulled a gross of approxi- mately $8,500,000 from popcorn and candy alone last year, and sees the ultimate $10,000,000 goal as a cinch because of general easing of sweets and corn supplies. Addition of records to products available to filmgoers will be an in- novation for theatres, but they are- considered a natural, since 70% of the hit tunes on the market today originate in pictures. Record sales experiment will be tried out in five showcases spotted around the coun- try before being generally adopted in the circuit's 640 theatres. Idea originated with Andrew Kappman, who recently moved over from his position as Fox-West Coast Southern California division supervisor to NT's merchandising department. Circuit is now negotiat- ing with RCA Victor on possibility of obtaining platters for theatres. Understood that Jack Kapp of Decca was also approached,' but was •not receptive because of the shortage of disk raw stock, and the fact that it would be competition for estab- lished music stores. RCA, however, is reported to like the idea. If suitable handling can be worked out, NT may even add ice- cream and soda pop to wares avail- able in theatre lobbies. Circuit de- rives a net of approximately 35% from its candy and popcorn sales. Theatre managers and other person- nel are cut in for 25%, adding con siderably to their yearly salaries. ARGUE SCHINES HAVE CHANGED CHAIN OP. Buffalo, May 28. Attorneys for Schine Chain The- atres, Arthur Garfield Hayg and Willard McKay, argued a motion be- fore Federal Judge John Knight to induce the court to take testimony with respect to Schine's present operation of his theatres. The at- torneys, claiming that Schine has changed his method of operation to conform with the law, contended that unless the court knew the pres- ent facts it couldn't arrive at a fair plan for the. reorganization and re- alignment of the circuit. Judge Knight indicated by his comments that he felt adoption of Schine's proposals would have the effect of reopening the anti-trust case again on basis of present- day facts. Robert Wright, U. S. prosecuting attorney, did not appear during the argument but was repre- sented by the Buffalo U. S. attorney. At the same time, Schine filed in open court the proposed counter-plan for the organization of the chain. The Government's plan was sub- mitted to the court several weeks ago. Under his plan, Schine pro- poses three separate corporations to take over the theatre holdirfgs in New York Stale, in Ohio, and in Maryland, Kentucky, and those Ohio theatres booked out of Cin- cinnati. Schine proposed that the New York corporation be owned and managed by J. Meyer Schine, the Ohio corporation by his brother Louis Schine, and the third corpora- tion by their wives. Effect of this reorganization plan, if adopted, would be to take the chain out of interstate commerce and make the operation of the three corporations each strictly intra-state. • UA's Concentrated Bally For 60 Preems of 'Cleo' United Artists is aiming for 60 day-and-date preems Aug. 15 for "Caesar' and Cleopatra." Sales staff is about to turn to lining up the en- gagements for the J. Arthur Rank $6,000,000' Technicolor spec UA is spending $200,000 in national maga- zine advertising on .the pic for the month starting July 25. It aims to get as many dates as possible to take advantage of the ad campaign. 'C&C" will be exhibited on regu- lar run basis at standard prices, in contrast to roadshowing of Rank's other color epic, "Henry V." Jackson Park Theatre, Chicago Nabe, Handed $432,740 Trust Coin Chicago, May 28. The last round in the anti-trust suit against nine major film distrib utors by the nabe Jackson Park the- atre was enacted in U. S. district court Thursday (23) when a check for $432,740 was turned over to the theatre's owners by the companies for damages awarded the Jackson Park Corp. in March, 1944. After a reversal of Judge Michael L N Igoe's opinion by the circuit court of appeals, the Surpreme Court up- held the original decision last March. Of the $432,740, $360,000 was the original judgment, $30,048.49 at- torney fees and the balance, $42,- 691.51, accrued interest. Distributors handing over the coin were RKO, Loew's, 2Oth-F0.\, Par, Vitagraph, Inc., Balaban St Katz and three Warner firms. EXHIBS MAY NOT GET POTTERY TO LURE 'EM Recent award of an 18%c pay in- crease to the Brotherhood of Pot- tery Workers has put, a serious crimp into the business of theatre premium suppliers, who are finding exhibit- ors unwilling to absorb the higher costs of giveaways. With dishes for- merly priced at an average of 15c apiece, the 15-20% hike in price since the pay award is forcing a considerable number of nabes to dis- continue premium nights. Other furrieries are meeting the increase by raising their nominal service charges on the giveaways, a practice bound to prove unpopular with the femme patrons. During the war, despite the short- age of materials, over 200 houses in the metropolitan area had weekly giveaway , nights. With the war's end, premium suppliers were antici- pating a large-scale return of subse quent-run circuits to dish lures. In- creased, production costs and con tinued shortages, however, have-put a cold damper on their current bust ness outlook. . . Payees Sour On Noisy Crunchers Minneapolis, May 28. Jules L. Steele, St. Paul Pioneer Press-Dispatch film editor and critic, urges the discontinuation of popcorn and candy sales in theatres because the eaters distract the attention and lessen the enjoyment of those pa- trons who come to see the pictures instead of to eat. If, however, exhibitors are loath to give up such a profitable sideline, Steele indorses a reader's view that "the chewers. chompers and wrap- per-rustlers be segregated' in a sec- tion of seats where their mastica- tions and rustlings won't annoy the remainder-of the audience." - Steele takes the position that "customers, who form the bulk of the audiences and whose enjoyment of screen presentations are reduced materially, should not be penalized." He agrees that if they are so pena- lized, they will conclude there's no real reason why they should pay good money to listen to such noise, and, therefore/will stay at home and patiently wait for television. It's felt by Steele that many thea- tre patrons now eat In the show- houses simply as a result of the power of suggestion by having the popcorn and candy flaunted at them upon their entrance, and have gotten used to the habit and think it's the proper thing to do. Bennie Berger, president of North Central Allied, independent exhibit- ors organization, while admitting that the sale of popcorn and candy has become an important income source for exhibitors and in a num ber of instances allegedly provides the theatres' entire profit, has ad- vocated throwing out the candy and popcorn counters. Berger argues that too many ex- hibitors have become popcorn and candy dealers to the exclusion of showmanship and that distributors, anyway, base film prices now on a theatre's net earnings, including those from the candy sales. He contends that film prices should be lowered so that exhibitors will not have side- lines and can devote themselves "en- tirely to showmanship." . Pittsburgh, May 28. Theatres were the only regular advertisers to get a break in Pitts- burgh Post-Gazette when morning daily dropped all ads and went to 12 pages as a result of the paper shortage brought about by railroad strike. Sheet agreed to carry column and a half of film house ads daily as long as the miniature editions lasted, all of them in directory form and just listing, the attractions. . Other regular- advertisers begged for same consideration, but Post- Gazette placed theatre ads under the heading of a public service to readers and allowed no other claims. Strike Junks Rocb. News Ads Rochester, May 28. Lack of newsprint and other sup- plies, due to the rail strike, forced the two Gannett dailies, the Demo- crat St Chronicle and the Times- Union, to cancel advertising, includ- ing theatre ads,, last week. Main stem theatres immediately bought all available lime on radio stations and prepared to circulate heralds. The newspapers planned to run news and features; merely listing the theatre attractions. L.A. Times Down to Eight Pages Los Angeles, May 28. Los Angeles Times came out Sat. .hi., May 25, with an edition of eight pages, and thousands of subscribers wanted to know what happened to the second section. Reason for the sudden decrease in size was fear of a newsprint famine, due to the R-.R. strike. Eight-page edition carried the regular news and features but tossed away all advertising, including those for film and legit houses and other amusements. N.Y. SLRB to Rule On Mgrs. Vs. Indie Chain The N. Y.. State Labor Relations Board has authorized an election for next Tuesday (4) at its headquarters to determine whether managers of the Cinema Circuit will be entitled to collective bargaining rights in or- ganizing this chain. Election was directed to be held at the instance of the Motion Pic- ture Theatre Operating Managers St Assistant Managers Guild, unaffiliat- ed, which recently obtained a con- tract with the RKO circuit covering 41 Greater N. Y. and Westchester county theatres. Cinema circuit, of which Max A. Cohen is president, operates 11 the- atres in N. Y. and Brooklyn. Unfair labor practice charges were filed against the Cinema chain sometime ago when.managers sought to organ- ize themselves through MPTOM 8c AMR. ,, i ,,. • i ... i,., .< Schoenstadts Revive Anti-Trust Action On Strength of Jackson Pk. Chicago, May 28. Given new hope by the recent su- preme court victory of the Jacksort Park theatre, the Piccidilly theatre's anti-trust suit against eight major film distributors, originally filed in September 1943 by H. Scnoenstadt and Sons; sprang to life in federal court Monday (27) with the filing of an amended complaint for treble damages amounting to $6,750,000. The . new legal maneuver, filed in Judge Philip Sullivan's court, asks $1,500,- 000 for profit losses over a five-year period and $750,000 additional for al- leged damage to property. The treb- ling boosts the total close to the $7,- 000,000 mark. Charging monopoly of pictures in the pre-lease period following the loop first-runs, the Scnoenstadt cir- cuit contended in the original suit, which asked for ho monetary dam- ages, that five theatres were given unfair advantages oyer the Piccadil- ly, its top house.. Suit further asks for free and open competition, par- ticularly on Chi's South Side, and demands that exchanges be required to negotiate separate contracts for the South Side and sought pre-re- lease engagements on 'A' pictures. The defendents, Par, Warners, Co- lumbia, Loew's, 20th, RKO, Federal Theatres and Balaban Si Katz were given until June 17 to answer the hew complaint. Stalemate in Tynan's 'Rising Sun RKO Suit RKO's motion for dismissal of the piracy suit brought by' John Tynan, writer, was' denied in NY. federal court by Judge ' John Bright on Monday (27). Tynan, charging that RKO pirated his story; "Yank Meets Jap in Fight to Finish," in produc- ing "Behind the Rising Sun," is ask- ing $300,000 damages and accounting of the film's profits. . While denying dismissal, the judge granted RKO's motion for a bill ot particulars requiring the plaintiff to set forth his claim of title to his ? torv - ■ • , . ..t ■