Boxoffice - Feb. 17, 2014

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Pot 0' Gold Counter
Plan Is Abandoned
Cleveland—The Pot O' Gold theatre
plan has been a boxoffice flop, Clevelanfi
exhibitors told P. J. Wood, secretary of
jthe Independent Theatre Owners of Ohio,
jat a general meeting of the Cleveland Mo-
Picture Exhibitors Ass'n held Tuesday.
February 13.
Wood attended the meeting of Cleveland
exhibitors to find out what results have
been obtained after a four weeks trial at
54 theatres in the Cleveland area, and to
enlist the Cleveland theatres in a state
jorganization campaign to buck the Pot O'
iGold radio program.
However, instead of lining up the Cleveland
theatres in his state campaign, after
Ihearing how the plan failed to elicit anyjthing
but boos. Wood plans to call off the
'whole thing and to refund to the approxi-
]mately 100 theatre owners the assessments
Ithey have paid into the state organization.
jyear.
announced February 28-29 as the
(iates for the annual ITO convention to be
beld this year at the Neil House, and in
liew of the important issues facing the
aidustry. asked for a large turnout from
Cleveland.
Ray Branch Cautions
Dn Pot O' Gold
Detroit—Comment on the Pot O' Gold
jrograms that have aroused national in-
.erest in the industry was guarded in a
tatement to Boxoffice this week by Ray
branch of Hastings, president of Allied
Theatres of Michigan. Said Branch:
am somewhat afraid that if you start
|)n activity to combat it, you wall increase
)Ublicity for it, and it will spread. Radio
pperators will be able to say that it must
lie popular, because it is arousing theatre
jipposition.
don't think that the idea of tying up
m award with the theatre ticket, as in
bhio, in defense, is good, because there is
possibility that this is a lottery.
"I think the best course is to ignore it.
j
;ombating it is just giving the idea a
(reat buildup, and the first thing, radio
•ill start attacking the theatre.
"I don't know that you can call the
rogram a lottery. The language of the
ct is very broad, and they have some de-
;nse there.
A Trip Convinced
The Solons
Detroit—Louis B. Mayer in commenting
on the Neely bill, recalled the visit
to the M-G-M lot last year of several
congressmen. He intimated that had
more congressmen and senators found
the lime to visit the Hollywood film
plants that the Neely bill would not be
so dangerously near passage.
"These lawmakers told me," he said,
"that they were flabbergasted to learn
of the vast industry behind the exhibition
of motion pictures. They told me
that they had not read the Neely bill
but would do so immediately. They did
read it later, and after they had. I received
letters from them telling me
that since reading the bill they were
opposed to it."
there is nothing to stop listeners from
tuning in to an out-state station."
Another argument in favor of discontinuing
any further effort to promote a thea-
Co-op's Suggested Amendments
On Neely Bill Held Good
tre Pot O' Gold was the statement of a
Irumor that the radio show will be off the Detroit—Commenting on proposals for
tair within a few weeks.
amendment to the Neely bill, offered by
Cooperative Theatres of Michigan, Ray
The state of the proposed three per cent
Branch of Hastings, president of Allied
tax on film rentals was another subject of
Theatres, said:
organization discussion. Secretary Wood
"I am naturally in favor of local arbitration,
W'hich Michigan Allied itself ap-
reported that the taxpayers suit filed in
Columbus to collect this tax. retroactive to
proved in October at Kalamazoo.
'January 1935. will come up for hearing before
the court of appeals in April of this
"I would not definitely say it should be
included in the Neely bill. We are trying
to work toward the same end along other
lines."
Referring to other amendments proposed
by Coop. Branch said. "Most companies
are not forcing shorts, newsreels,
and reissues now anyway. You don't have
score charges from most or all companies
now.
"The provision to identify pictures always
has been desirable.
"Warner and M-G-M. at least, now have
voluntarily adopted a 10 to 20 per cent
cancellation clause, based upon average
film rental paid. Increasing the percentage
is apt to increase it to the point where
it is uni'easonable. I think the clause
we now have, which was voluntarily submitted
by various distributors, is practical.
"I can't speak on forced selective playing
time, because I'm not personally a
victim of it."
Jaffurs Brothers Acquire
The Star in Glassport
Pittsburgh—James Jaffurs and his
brother John have acquired the Star.
Glassport. from Mrs. Stella Gorris, widow
of the veteran exhibitor, Peter Gorris. A
long-term lease was taken from Mrs. Gorris
who had operated the house since the
death of her husband. James Jaffrus is
identified in exhibition at Wilmerding
where he operates the Wilmer.
! "I am speaking personally, for not all
lur members are in agreement with me on
'lis. Although I understand that, under
Cyril Hume Reticketed
state law. Michigan stations could be Hollywood—Cyril Hume. Metro scripter.
has been given a new^ writing opped from picking up the programs.
ticket.
Capitalization Boost
Opens Co-op Roster
Detroit—Addition of new members to
Cooperative Theatres of Michigan has been
made possible by an increase in capitalization.
Fred DeLodder, president, told
Boxoffice. Capitalization of the company,
which is a Michigan corporation, has been
increased from $50,000 to S60,000.
"We had a number of applications for
membership," DeLodder said, "but w^e were
unable to take in any more members, because
we had no unissued stock. So we
increased the capitalization in order to be
able to act on new applications. The minimum
amount of stock which one member
must have is one share, at $100."
Cooperative now centers the booking activities
of a number of the principal independent
circuits, as well as independent
single theatre owners and upstate operators,
with around 100 member houses.
Report Horwitz Resigns
As Ohio ITO Officer
Cleveland—It is reliably reported along
Filmrow that M. B. Hoi-witz. for 25 years
an active leader in all exhibitor organization
affairs, has resigned as treasurer and
member of the board of the Independent
Theatre Owners of Ohio. He has held this
elective post since 1934.
While Horwitz would neither affirm nor
deny the report, it is understood that he
differed with other board members on organization
matters.
Bert Stearn Testimonial
Drive Is Gratiiying
Cleveland—A. M. Goodman. United
Artists branch manager, says that the results,
to date, of the Bert Steam testimonial
drive are most complimentary to
the UA district manager, and expects the
Cleveland office to be considerably ahead
of its quota when the drive ends today.
Exhibitors in this territory. Goodman
states, have cooperated with new contracts
and dates during the drive period and it is
understood that Steam's other offices are
making equally complimentary showings.
Columbia Drive Starts
Cleveland—The Columbia sales and
billing drive, dedicated to honor Abe Montague's
15 years with the company, got under
way on February 17 and will continue
until May 10. Columbia Branch Manager
Lester Zucker and his sales force are out
to establish a record.
Ahead in Scottsville
Scottsville. Ky.—C. M. Caldwell expects
to have his new theatre here ready
for opening by April 1. The house, being
constructed on the site of his Lyric Theatre
which was destroyed by fire the latter
part of December, will be larger than its
predecessor.
OXOFHCE : :
H,?'
February 17. 1940 ME
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