Boxoffice - Feb. 17, 2014

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When 'U' Gets 'Em,
Seems They Stick
Scully Gets a Verbal Workout;
Then Goes to Miami for Sun
(Continued from page 16)
from his company negotiated deals with the
circuits and individuals. In practically
all cases, the customers have been the
same for the past two years. But in a
number of situations where there are selective
contracts, other customers are on
the books.
In Los Angeles, for Instance, Scully
pointed out the company sells a number
of pictures away from RKO because it refuses
to hold up releases. In Baltimore,
the company has a selective contract with
Schanberger. When the exhibitor makes
his eliminations, negotiations are started
with other independents for the rejections.
In Boston and Chicago, Universal has selective
pacts and rejections are sold to
others.
In no instance, Scully stated, has he
with Paramount home office exany
deals in work, or consummated,
with its partners. In the case of
National Theatres and RKO,
home office meetings have been held,
usually prior to the making of an agreement.
Unable to give information beyond his
tenui-e of office, Scully's examination was
terminated and will be continued, on the
of distribution contracts, with F.
jj. A. McCarthy, eastern sales manager,
for the three years previous. For a moit
appeared James R. Grainger, Sculjly's
predecessor, would be called, but this
'was tabooed because of McCarthy's
'familiarity with operations of the company
during that time. He has been out of
town and will not be available for another
week or more.
Philly Exchange Employes
Union Opposes Neely Bill
Philadelphia—William Porter, film exemployes
union president, has
named a committee to contact congressto
express opposition to the Neely bill.
action followed a meeting addressed
by Robert Lynch. Metro branch head. Porter
pointed out that the union as a whole
did not take any stand on the bill.
The committee consists of Mrs. May
Smith, Clark Film, chairman: Mollie Cohen.
Metro, and Henrietta Weinberg, Peerless.
Porter also named Ben Harris, Masterpiece,
chairman of the entertainment comimittee:
Jim McWilliam, Clark, chairman
'Of the auditing committee, and Charles
Smith, Clark, chairman of the steward
committee.
Sfill Favors Arbitration
Detroit—Ray Branch, president of Allied
Theatres of Michigan, on the Neely
Ibill: "I am naturally in favor of local
jirbitration. I would not definitely say it
should be included in the Neely bill. We
u-e trying to work toward the same end
ilons other lines. The provision to identiy
pictures always has been desirable."
iOXOFFICE :: February 17, 1940
(Continued from page 16
tres and M&P. Brooklyn was never regarded
as a key city, according to Raftery.
In the same category are Baltimore, Newark,
St. Paul and Houston.
Among the pictures Universal has sold
separately on individual contracts during
Scully's two years there are: "Dark
Rapture," "The Mikado," "Green Hell"
and two other Harry Edington's which
are not to be made.
Minimum admissions are not taken into
account in selling first runs, Scully said,
although he believed the prices to be
charged are incorporated in contracts.
"The ownership of a theatre is not a factor
with us. If the exhibitor parts his hair
in the middle or wears a red tie, it's all
the same to us," he added. Affiliation
doesn't bother Scully either. "We sell to
those from whom we can get the most
money for Universal."
Scully entered the business in 1917 as
a salesman in New Haven for Famous
Players Lasky. The company had been
making about 104 features a year then. He
left in 1918 and a year later joined American
Feature Film Co., which had the Metro
franchise, as manager in the same city.
Metro was making about 36 films a year.
In those years, "we sold clearance and
protection, too," Scully said. In New
Haven from 18 to 22 theatres were sold
from 1917 to 1919. First run had 30 days'
clearance over second run and "we never
made an attempt to control admission
prices in those years."
Scully held the post with American Feature
until 1920 when Metro bought up the
franchise. He continued as New Haven
manager until 1924 and in those years 36
to 43 films were released a year. In 1924,
Triple Screenings for Best
Results in Visual Study
Albany—Triple screenings of a visual
education subject afford students the
most comprehensive results, the first of a
series of conferences by the state education
department was advised here. The
trio of runs on the same subject is to produce
(1) a general outline, (2) particular
points for emphasis and i3) a connection
of the entire topic.
The department is expanding its activities
in teaching through visual and radio
aids.
Upholds Ban on Film
New York — Supreme Court Justice
Aaron J. Levy has vacated a stay restraining
the state censor board from prohibiting
showing of "Life on the Hortobagy."
The court held the film, which shows the
birth of a horse, was neither a newsreel
nor a documentary.
Wallis in New York
New York—Hal B. Wallis, executive
producer for Warner, is here from Hollywood.
A looksee at the new plays is the
purpose.
he was made M-G-M manager in St.
Louis and a year later transferred back to
New Haven where he stayed there until
October, 1928. From 1925 to 1928 the
company made from 40 to 48 a year and
the method of selling was unchanged, he
testified.
In 1928, Scully was appointed New Jersey
branch manager for M-G-M and two
years later eastern district manager with
Charlotte, Washington, New York, New
Haven and Boston under his supervision.
While supervisor he not only devoted his
time to major accounts but also "the $10
accounts," he said.
Now that he is with Universal there Is
not much of a change in selling methods,
Scully went on to say. "As the run decreases
pictures become available to a
larger number of subsequent exhibitors,"
Scully said. In other words, he pointed
out, there is usually one first run in a
town, several second runs and a larger
number of third and fourth runs, but in
some situations there may not be as many
fourth and fifth runs as there are second
and third runs. "Generally speaking, however,
pictures become available to more
subsequent runs as the protection decreases."
Nate J. Blumberg. Universal president,
in Florida and wlU not be called until he
is
returns. He is expected to give considerable
information as to how RKO theatres
operate. A. Montague is in Florida, vacationing
also, and has temporarily been
given leave to appear at a later date.
With Work appearing Tuesday. Wright
is expected to elicit considerable information
as to the RKO circuit setup on the
coast of which Work was western district
manager before assuming his present
duties.
Washington Rogers Zone
Group Meets Monday
Washington—Sam Wheeler, zone chairman
of the Will Rogers national theatre
week drive, has called a meeting for Monday
to discuss plans for participation in
this area. He has named the following
to assist him:
Fred Beiersdorf, Sam Galanty, Rudolph
Berger. B. Bernard Kreisler, Harry Brown,
R. J. Folliard, E. Fontaine, Sam Flax. Fred
Rohrs, John J. Payette, Carter Barron,
Hardie Meakin. Sidney Lust. Ben Pitts,
Morton Thalheimer. Sam Bendheim jr.,
Lou Rome, Frank Durkee, Hunter Perry,
Wm. S. Wilder, I. Rappaport. L. Gaertner.
Frank Hornig, William Hicks, Col. David
McCoach jr., Chas. Stofberg, Chas. Hurley.
Einleld Delays
New York—Slated to leave for Hollywood
again during the week, S. Charles
Einfeld. Warner director of advertising
and publicity, has delayed his departure
for another week.
Schaefer Returns
New York—George J. Schaefer, president
of RKO, is due from HoUywood,
Monday.