Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1947)

Petrillo Says Films To Boost His Union Allied , MPTOA Offered Cooperative Film Deal DETROIT — The firm industry figured in two activities during the convention of the American Federation of Labor held here this week. In the keynote presidential address by President James C. Petrillo, an approach to the public through the medium of motion pictures to improve the AFM’s notoriously unfavorable public relations was announced. Petrillo said that he had contacted a key executive of the industry along this line, and that the public service activities of the union, such as charity shows, musicians playing for soldiers in hospitals, and the many types of concerts and programs being given for the public through the proceeds of the recording royalty fund would be presented in films. These would presumably be utilized in newsreels, documentaries, and short subjects. In discussing labor relations in the film industry, Petrillo said that, while the union “tried hard to take care of its own,” it had also sought to be fair with the industry. The motion picture industry gained a spokesman in the top hierarchy of the AFM in the election of Raymond J. Meurer, counsel for United Detroit Theatres, largest circuit in the city, as one of the federation’s four delegates to the American Federation of Labor. Meurer, well known as a theatrical attorney, is the only lifetime delegate of the Federation, coming from Local 566 at Windsor, Ontario, across the river from Detroit, in addition to holding membership in the Detroit local, of which he was formerly an officer. George V. Clancy, secretary-treasurer of Detroit Local No. 5, was the only new member elected to the International executive board. He succeeds Chauncey A. Weaver of Des Moines, who was elected life member after 32 years on the board. Clancy was a musician at the Fox-Washington, now torn down, and the Michigan and State theatres — the latter two UDT houses. HOLLYWOOD — Two of the nation’s largest exhibitor groups — Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America and Allied States Ass'n of Motion Picture Exhibitors — are being offered an opportunity to participate in production and distribution in a new cooperative plan conceived and being promoted by Jerome B. Rosenthal, Hollywood attorney and tax expert, currently in the east presenting his idea to representatives of the two organizations. Rosenthal, before planing east, said of his system that, in addition to bringing exhibitors into closer contact with picture making, it will eliminate much of the “excessive costs” of production and distribution, which saving would be passed on to the theatre owners participating in the proposed project. Rosenthal had arranged meetings with Jack Kirsch, national Allied president, and Her DES MOINES — Tri-States Theatres Corp. this week began an experiment in adult motion picture entertainment at its Ingersoll Theatre here. The house has been turned into an “art cinema theatre” with single showings, matinee and evening, Monday through Friday, and continuous showings on Saturday and Sunday. Prices will be fifty cents for the matinee, which begins at 2:30 p. m, and 75 cents for the 8:15 p. m. showing. First picture under the new policy was “The Late George Apley.” Adults will be catered to exclusively — there will be no children’s prices. man Levy, MPTOA general counsel. Under the project, Rosenthal explained, exhibitors would have the option of paying film rentals in advance, “thus providing completion money for film production and reducing financing costs.” These exhibitors would benefit through lower rentals, whereas theatremen booking the pictures after completion would have to pay higher fees. Directors, writers and actors working on such films would have the option of buying stock in the proposed production company, thereby getting dividends as well as salaries. Production expenses would be shaved by virtually eliminating producers by having a production liaison manager between the various units and the distribution end. Principal aim of the plan is the elimination of the middleman and his costs, according to Rosenthal. “We intend to provide patrons in Des Moines with high class, sophisticated entertainment with this venture,” said G. Ralph Branton, Tri-States general manager, in explaining the set-up. Branton added that he thought there was a place in the city for a theatre having entertainment of this kind. He said the fastidious theatregoer, who dislikes the interruptions occasioned by patrons coming and going at continuous performances, would welcome a one-show program. The time element, too, will be a drawing card, he believes. Tri-States Opens Suburban House That Is Strictly for Grownups Deportment Is the Answer Here For Special Teen-Age Prices UA Stops 'Henry V' Leases For Percentage Deals NEW YORK — United Artists has stopped leasing theatres for “Henry V” and is selling the J. Arthur Rank picture on a percentage basis, according to Capt. Harold Auten, Rank representative assigned to the film. Auten said the picture will be sold on percentage wherever possible. The picture netted close to $1,200,000 in about 130 leased dates, Auten said. He did not say what percentage is being sought. The picture now is playing at the Broadway Theatre here after a long run at the City Center Theater last year. J. P. Byrne at MGM Office Under Rodgers' New Plan NEW YORK — John P. Byrne, eastern sales manager for MGM, has switched his headquarters from the Loew’s exchange to the MGM home office, where he will remain until mid-July under the rotating plan for field sales executives recently started by William F. Rodgers, vice-president and general sales manager. John J. Maloney, central sales manager with headquarters in Pittsburgh, returned to that city June 15 after a month at the home office. MINNEAPOLIS — An ingenious special “teen-age” admission price plan is solving the problem of juvenile rowdyism and vandalism as well as meeting the amusement economic needs of the “in-between” youngsters from 12 to 17 for Ben Friedman, veteran independent circuit owner, in his out-oftown situations. The plan, devised by Friedman, involves the issuance of “good conduct” reward cards to the “teen-agers.” These cards, distributed through the schools, entitle the owners to the special “teen-age” admission price, which is considerably lower than that charged adults. Only students whose deportment “earns" the cards receive them. Recipients must agree in writing to conduct themselves in the theatres in a gentlemanly and lady-like manner and to refrain from boisterousness and vandalism. The cards identify the holders and must be presented at the boxoffice in order to obtain the reduced-price ticket. Without the cards the young people, between 12 and 17, would have to pay the adult price. The cards are revoked if the owners misbehave, but this is rarely necessary. “Trouble” in his theatres has been prac tically eliminated in the towns where the plan is employed, according to Friedman. Most vandals and rowdies usually are found in the “teen-agers” ranks, but the juniors with the cards toe the mark, he says. A “revolt” by “teen-agers” against adult admission prices in a small Minnesota town has been followed by the establishment of a special reduced scale for them in many of the territory’s situations. Harry B. French, Minnesota Amusement company president, announcing such reductions, explained they were “in recognition of the limited allowances and limited earning power of boys and girls of high school age.” Oklahoma City Theatres Set a Teen-Age Scale OKLAHOMA CITY — Bob Busch, operator of the Villa and Uptown theatres, has established a junior admission price ten cents below the adult admission. The price is in effect for youngsters 12 to 16 years old. Busch said he established the policy after giving it a three-month trial. Both are neighborhood houses, the Uptown seating 848 and the Villa 600. BOXOFFICE :: June 21, 1947 19