The Moving picture world (November 1925-December 1925)

November 7, 1925 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 31 Producers DistYihuting Corp. Plans Coooperative Deal with Shoumien M. P» T. O* of Kansas and Missouri to Share in Receipts Collected by Distributor During ^ ^Exhibitor Month* ^ THE "Exhibitors Month" agreement entered into last week between the M. P. T. O. of Kansas and Missouri, and the Producers Distributing Corporation, whereby the exhibitors association will receive a share of the receipts collected by Producers Distributing Corporation for December playing dates, reflects a fine spirit of co-operation between the distributing and exhibiting factions of the motion picture industry. W. J. Morgan, sales manager of Producers Distributing Corporation, when asked for details on the agreement and the co-operative phases that have brought the exhibitor body into a close working arrangement with the Producers Distributing Corporation, explained that R. R. Biechele, president of the M. P. O. of Kansas and Missouri conceived the idea of securing the assistance of Producers Distributing Corporation in the M. P. T. O.'s drive for membership, and that Producers Distributing Corporation agreed to the suggestion of Mr, Biechele as a worthy endeavor and entered into agreement in a sincere desire to assist the exhibitors of Kansas and Missouri in strengthening their organization. R. R. BIECHELE Children's Book Week Set for November 8-14 Children's Book Week will be observed November 8-14 in cities and towns throughout the country. Coincident with this and related to it will be the observance of Motion Picture Book Week, which emphasizes the close connection between books and motion pictures. In view of its educational aspect though withal popular appeal, it is a fitting predecessor to American Education Week, which immediately follows. Co-operating with the National Association of Book Publishers, which promotes Children's Book Week, are the American Library Association, General Federation of Women's Clubs, Boy Scouts of America and the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures with headquarters in New York. W. J. MORGAN The plan as proposed and adopted makes December, "Exhibitors Month" and gives the M. P. T. O. of Kansas and Missouri a percentage of the rentals on all the Producers Distributing releases played during the month of December on dates set and secured by representatives of the M. P. T. O. While this agreement ties up the M. P. T. O. and Producers Distributing Corporation under a definite and co-operative working plan for mutual advantages, it does not, in any way, involve the M. P. T. O. in the actual selling plans of Producers Distributing Corporation. In detailing the agreement and explaining its workings Mr. Morgan says: "We are working with and for the M. P T. O. of Kansas and Missouri in a desire to see their membership increased and their organizations strengthened to maximum possibilities for the general good of the industry. And when Mr. Biechele explained that his organization's greatest need was funds and asked for our co-operation in securing such funds through a percentage arrangement on booking dates, we listened with interest and finally accepted his plan which has just been put into operation. "This plan calls for a percentage on the receipt from each playing date in the Kansas and Missouri territory, set by representatives of the M. P. T. O. for the month of cember. The M. P. T. O. representatives are | not out to secure contracts nor mduce the | booking of our releases, but in all instances | where we have closed contracts for our p.c | turcs without playing dates, the M P. 1. U. | representatives are at liberty to secure definite | playing dates for the month of December and | a percentage of the receipts from these dates | will be turned over to the M. P. T. O. | "The funds which will be turned over to | the M. P. T. O. under this agreement will be | used to secure new members and to carry out g the progressive plans of the organization | which are now held in al)eyance for lack ot | working capital. . u I "We consider this plan as fair and honor able as it is novel. It obviates the necessity of assessing the members of the organization, or resorting to the unpleasant task of seeking contributions. It shows a clear-sighted and business-like desire to put the organization upon a sound financial footing by honest effort; and we are happy to co-operate with Mr. Biechele in working out his plan to a successful conclusion. "In efTect the efforts of the M P. T. O. representatives will not increase our bookings but they will render valuable assistance to us in the setting of play dates and therefore the percentages to be turned over to the M. P. T. O. may be properly looked upon as fair compensation." . Asked if Producers Distributing Corporation intended to make similar arrangements with the exhibitor bodies in other states, Mr. Morgan said : "We have no other proposition of this nature under consideration at the present time and personally I am acquainted with the financial standings of the various exhibitor units. But first and foremost Producers Distnibuting Corporation is interested in the general welfare of the industry and we are at all times ready and willing to listen to any fair and honest plan for the advancement of the exhibitor body." piiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin^ De j Another for F-P? | The new ParamountBalaban & Katz Theatre Department is said to have g purchased the Hi-Art Theatre in Lock g port, N. Y. 1 1 Mr. Lanigan, who has been running rj j this theatre for several years, jour 3 I neyed to New York last week to conI fer with Harold B. Franklin on the I proposition. I Paramount is now operating the I Palace Theatre in the Lock City and I giving the natives the biggest attrac1 tions possible. For instance, the curI rent attraction is "The Wanderer." iiinMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiii^^ lun'^