Boxoffice - Feb. 17, 2014

Texas Theatre Owners' Head
Answers Allied White Book
Dallas—A "complete survey" of Texas
reveals the preponderant exhibitor opinion
as opposed to enactment of the Neely
bill, according to Judge R. L. Walker of
Lampasas, Tex., president of the Texas
Theatre Owners. He says that of 744 theatres
contacted he has secured 728 theatres
opposing the bill and only 16 in
favor of it.
Springboarding from an article in Boxoffice
for January 27, Judge Walker's extended
answer to Allied's White Book
follows:
helpn
hearing in this blasting and counter-attat
I appreniate the (act distributors are doin
they can to protect their busine.ss and, tc
extent of their fight against the Neely ]
Ing we small exhibitors. I have had lots
ments in the past with the distributors
ing and booking but have never telt 1
disagreed with them at times on sales policies
the industry should be destroyed because someone
else in it besides me happened to be making
money. I deeply appreciate the fact that the producers
and distributors, through their efforts in
building one of the greatest industries we have,
in doing so have made it possible for me to make
more than fair returns on my sme
and realize without their efforts I would
fur
vith a (ollow
act
nted
our industry have
task of trying to
legislate the small exhibitors out of business. I
have, as president of the Texas Theatre Owners,
made a complete survey of Texas and out of 744
theatres contacted have secured the names signed
to a petition of 728 theatres opposing the Bill,
and only 16 who are in favor of the Bill. The
people who have signed these petitions are exhibitors
making their living out of the business
and are not "butchers, bakers and candlestickmakers"
or "general counsel" or "32 organizawould
iciate very much the space
ch point quoted in your arti
nts made by Myers out of t
£xhibitors
Pr
heir own wholesale stores for the sole and only
he jobbers price. The argument is as foolish as
o say I must buy apples one at a time and put
ach in a separate sack. However, you cannot
xpect a logical argument on the buying of pic-
.
Increased Cost
The statement "There is no reason why the bill
pen
requ
The general adr this for he
ciden
be more than offset by the increased revenues,
etc." And, "with greatly increased boxoffice receipts,
exhibitors could stand a MODERATE
INCREASE IN FILM RENTALS WITHOUT
ADVANCING ADMISSIONS." I do not have to
who is a past master at juggling words and covering
up the real purpose back of his bill.
Listen exhibitors, to what he says: "A modthis
"moderate increase" will cover a "moderate"
salary for one or more to supervise, check and
run our business for us.
Sj-nopsis
Clause
This is another juggling of words the
counsel (general contortionist). have a
I
copy of the bill before me as passed by the
Senate and it says: "An accurate synopsis of the
contents of the film," and "such synopsis shall
be made a part of the lease and shall include
a general outline of the story, description of the
principal characters, a statement describing the
scenes depicting vice, crime, or suggestive of
sexual passion." What is that? The general
counsel presents a wonderful argument, but he
gets everything right except his facts and hie
deductions.
I believe i
The bill itself says
nd w^hat its purpose
It is the purpose of t
par
"free to negotiate and trade" where
neficlal legislation" come in. It is
louflage and jumble of words hiding
nd. in my opinion, furnish jobs for
"dictators" we exhibitors will have
tilr
described by the synopsis." So the producers
must give a complete synopsis. If he does not
he will be fined. Who has the right to say he
has complied? Some one friendly to him? No.
to, Therefore he will have for self protection,
give a full, complete description. If he takes a
And Mr. Exhibitor, you will be subject to it
because any person who knowingly transports
Texas—
On to
Chief Barker Bob O'Donnell of the
Dallas Variety Club whooping it up
to make the annual national Variety
convention there the tops in such affairs.
And if you doubt that Bob can
ride, you should have been behind the
curtain in the studio when this shot
was made.
RKO's Bookers in Dallas
Drive Hard for Depinet
Dallas—Bookers of RKO are in spirited
contest now to put Dallas in first place in
the Ned Depinet Drive which started
January 27 and ends May 10.
R. E. Helms, office manager, promoted
the rivalry among Clarence Wilson, head
booker, who will do his stuff April 14 to 20,
"Lin" Harrington, who will shoot the
works, April 21 to 27. and Jack Walton
who will swing into action from April 28
to May 4,
The three cannot solicit dates from exhibitors
whose territory is ordinarily
handled by either of the other two.
pared with the aggregat
the law the distributor
Kxlilbitors Can Buy as Many Pictures as Desired
In the "White Book" he says; "The bill explaced
under
? or that the
exhibitor can
fered him and
heavy penalty
salesman sell pict
for
does otherwise, the exchecker
that will be
acts can prosecute him,
le chance. "We may have
"general counsel" right
as the right to sell what
distribu jr is charging too
single pi ture in comparison
block buying when the B prohibits the disthe'
"White Book"
hutor from offering a blc
?nts of the general counsel
ally deserves a place in good comic short.
•ery exhibitor knows he c 1 not buy pictures
igly and keep his playing
len the law prohibits t
tha
Price
Control
n s.ll them for one at a time and
t place.« no such restriction on tl
any other business. the Clayton If Act dc
ly the necessity for this bill?
rhere is no other i
class of business in
trid where the wholesaler can not offer to
:ail merchant a better bargain if he takes
mber of articles than it he buys only o
Mchanta all over the country have opened
or causes to be transported any picture whicli
,
is leased or intended to be leased, is subject to i
The producer and distributor will not dare to
offer you any picture until it has been completed
and a correct synopsis can be given. The
result to you, Mr. Exhibitor, is you will have to
vou
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