Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1939)

Government Seeking View of Exhibitor Washington — Views of responsible exhibitor leaders on the current problems of the motion picture industry, as well as those of the producers and distributors, are being sought by Secretary of Commerce Harry Hopkins. Originally planning to deal with distribution problems only, officials of the department, following their conference with Will Hays and heads of important producing companies on June 6, reached the conclusion no satisfactory solution could be reached without bringing in the exhibitor factions. In a step which made the move a dramatic incident of Allied’s convention at Minneapolis, Dr. Willard L. Thorp, special assistant to Secretary Hopkins, on June 14, telegraphed to Col. H. A. Cole, president of the association, extending an invitation to send representatives to Washington to confer with department officials on June 20. Simultaneously, Dr. Thorp dispatched a similar message to Ed Kuykendall, president of the MPTOA, but setting the date of June 21. In his telegram, Dr. Thorp explained that “in connection with our examination of the problems of the motion picture industry, Secretary Hopkins wishes to obtain the views of the theatre owners. Would it be possible for representatives of your group to meet with Department of Commerce officials in Washington?” To Get All Views Discussing the proposed meetings with a representative of Boxoffice, Dr. Thorp explained that, after conferring with Allied leaders next Tuesday and exhibition heads on Wednesday, the department will have the views of all three of the important groups in the industry. No date, he said, has yet been set for another meeting with the distributor group. Dr. Thorp’s discussion of the department’s aims made it clear the meetings are purely exploratory and that the department has no idea of in which fields it may be of service to the industry. At the June 6 meeting, which he said was one of general discussion, the distributors referred to a number of problems, but did not ask the department’s aid with respect to either the trade practice proposals or a consent decree in the department of justice suit. At that meeting, he explained, it was agreed certain factual matter would have to be compiled if some of these problems were to be further discussed, and as a result of the conference the conclusion was reached the exhibitors should be consulted, since they were interested in many of the matters brought up by distributors. At the moment, he admitted, the course of the conferences is vague; department officials are studying the various problems presented and are attempting to determine whether and, if so, where they can be of assistance. It is the department’s desire to aid industry in the solution of its problems, either by direct consultation and advice or as intermediary between industry and Bidding " J . A" Goodbye — Surrounded on the deck of the Washington by a number of home office executives, who came down to wish him bon voyage, is Joseph A. McConville, Columbia' s foreign manager. His European trip marks the beginning of an extensive world-wide tour of Columbia’s offices. He, incidentally , is the only one wearing a hat. At his left is Louis J. Barbano, assistant treasurer, who is accompanying McConville to Europe. At the extreme left are Abe Schneider and Leonard Picker. Rube Jackter, hat in hand, Orving Morross and Floyd Weber are at the right. High in the rear, on the steps, are Leo Jaffe and Mortimer Wormser. other departments. But, Dr. Thorp admitted, whether this can be done in the case of the film industry remains to be seen. The present meetings are designed to show whether there are any problems SAG Refusal Slows 4 A's Negotiations New York — Negotiations toward consolidation of the various branches of the Associated Actors and Artistes of America are slowed down temporarily as a result of a rejection made by the Screen Actors Guild of several aspects of the proposed plan. As outlined by Kenneth Thomson, executive secretary of the SAG, the issue appears to be that of “States rights vs. federalism.” Thomson said the SAG did not want to surrender its autonomy to a group of paid executives. He also vetoed the proposal of a central treasury. On the other hand, Thomson feels economies can be effected through a setup on a confederation basis. The SAG’s problem is more difficult since the main office and membership are located on the coast. Headquarters for one big union would have to be established in New York. Thomson asserts the leadership of SAG must be in constant contact with its membership. Meanwhile Mrs. Florence Marston, eastern secretary of the SAG, will continue to meet with the 4 A’s committee in an effort to find a solution popular to all parties concerned. in which the department can be of service. Heads of both exhibitor groups immediately accepted the department’s invitation, but while Kuykendall agreed to have representatives of the MPTOA present on the agreed date of June 21, Cole advised Allied leaders could not gather in Washington before June 26. While no date was immediately set for the conference with Allied, department officials said that unless other engagements have already been made for June 26 that date would probably be satisfactory to them. As Warner District Heads Met — — Photo by Cosmo-Sileo Warner Theatres district managers met together for the first time at the home office with Joseph Bernhard, general manager. Front row, left to right-. Leonard Schlesinger, home office executive; Charles Dooley, Bernhard, Dick Wright, and Charley Smalcwitz; second row, Rudy Kuehn, Jack Keegan, Guy Barrett, Dick Hill, Max Melincoff, Harry Turrell, Henry Needles, Ralph Crabill, Steve Barutio, Tony Williams, Lou Davidoff, Larry Graver, Frank Harpster, Paul Castello and Ray Brown; standing, Dinty Moore, Stewart McDonald, home office executive; Sid Jacobs, C. J. Latta, Tom Fordham, Al Plough, Jack Mulhall, Ed Moore, Harry Goldberg, home office; Dan Finn, Nat Glasser, Charles Ryan, H. W. Wheeler, Harry Lohmeyer, Guy Wonder. 28 BOXOFFICE :: June 17, 1939