3^

im
that the industry prizes its freedom . . . The product you sell is a powerlul
force in our society,"
There is basis in that, as well as in Mr. Johnston's like remarks,
to warrant the lifting of restraints that are placed upon
the scope of the motion picture's public influence and service
by excessive and discriminatory taxation; and upon its worldwide
impact by other restrictions which our government can
and should aid in removing.
hi the tax picture as a whole, collaborative effort must be
continued by the various elements of the industry with one
another—and vnlh other businesses where there is a community
of interest.
In
Commendation
In response to requests from their branch managers and
hundreds of exhibitors. National Screen Service has produced
an attractive 40x60 on "I Am a Movie Fan," which may be used
in lobby and front frames. As a service to the industry's public
relations endeavors, NSS is making this display available
at nominal cost. One of the first orders came from a circuit
which already had made up 30x60s of its ovm. This same
circuit also used "I Am a Movie Fan" in full-page newspaper
advertisements.
The anonymous author of this epic tribute to the motion
picture should be very proud of the extent to which his fine
interpretation is being carried to the public. It has been used
in many newspaper editorials; in advertisements; by columnists;
in programs and house organs; by exhibitor associations to
their memberships and in general promotions; on mailing
cards; in letters; in stockholder report brochures; in trailers and
various other forms. And it has even served to bring competitors
together, as note the foUowring excerpt from a letter
received from a progressive small-town theatre ovimer:
"You've published several reproductions of your (June 25) cover. "I
Am a Movie Fan,' and, knowing how vitally interested you are in helping
build better public relations, I took the liberty of getting the advertising
manager of the Sentinal to get the rest of the theatres in the county
to go in on a cooperative ad. I'm especially proud of the fact that it is
cooperative, as I feel we are getting somewhere when the little fellow,
like me, and the big circuits can work together in tackling our problems.
I wanted to put our signatures on the bottom, but the rest thought
it more effective as you see it (without signature)."
We are not being immodest in any praise that we may
here or otherwise give to "I Am a Movie Fan," because we
didn't write it. We merely had the good fortune to have been
chosen by its author as the vehicle through which to bring
it to the attention of the people of our industry. Their recognition
of its inspirational values and its worth in fostering public
goodwill was spontaneous. And all those who have made
good use of it in this direction are to be commended. Nevertheless
there is a measure of gratification to us in the widespread
use to which "I Am a Movie Fan" has been put by exhibitors
and others in America, Canada and England in that
BOXOFFICE has thereby rendered a service to our great industry.
^it~
Paramount Case Defendants
May Ask 30-Day Extension
However, chances for the government to
agree to any delay in the September 20 deadline
for submitting proposed antitrust decrees
and findings look very slim.
Ohio Drive-ins Organize
For Vigorous Campaign
Plans to form five committees authorized
at the first regular meeting of the new Ohio
Drive-In Theatres Ass'n in Columbus; Frank
Nolan of Athens, Ohio, heads the group.
*
SIMPP to Aid in Fighting
'Boundaries' Censorship
Joins MPAA with pledge to support Louis
DeRochemont's legal moves to lift Memphis
censorship; producer now seeking local exhibitor
to bring test case against Lloyd Binford,
the Memphis censor.
Use of More Children's Films
Asked by Leon J. Bamberger
Tells exhibitors at New Jersey Allied convention
in Atlantic City that many showmen
could benefit from the MPAA Children's Film
Library as a part of the public relations effort.
*
Herbert Yates to England
For Frozen Funds Talks
Republic president will sail September 21
for conferences with executives of British
Lion on possible uses of company's blocked
English pounds; also will visit continental
countries.
United Front Possibility
Is Visioned by Zukor
Veteran Paramount executive, at New Jersey
Allied meeting, says concerted effort
needed to gain public's respect. Both sides
have sometimes used wrong methods, he says.
Amendment to Aid Industry
Abroad Killed by Senate
Reciprocal trade agreement acts extension
passed, but Senator Knowland's move to protect
film business from unfair overseas treatment
defeated by 54 to 27 vote.
Edgar Hatrick, Gen'l Manager,
News of the Day, Is Dead
Veteran newsreel producer and pioneer in
silent film serials dies in Colorado Springs at
63; handled all of William Randolph Hearst's
film interests.
*
Allied of Indiana Bulletin
Praises Chicago Meeting
Trueman Rembusch, who represented Allied
States Ass'n at session, says important
achievement of public relations conference
was getting all segments to understand each
other's problems better.