Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1939)

OKLAHOMA MPTO CONDEMNS NEELY BEL AT CONVENTION; GROUP FORMED TO STUDY CODE Convention Sidelights Kuykendall Attacks Allied In Main Address; Other Prominent Speakers Oklahoma City — Closing one of the most interesting and best attended film conventions here in years, members of the Theatre Owners of Oklahoma, Inc., voted a resolution condemning the Neely Bill and appointed a special committee to study the trade practice code and report to the board of directors within 30 days as to whether the body should endorse the code. More than 100 delegates attended the Tuesday afternoon session at which the MPTOA president, Ed Kuykendall, reported on national trade trends and attacked Allied as well as “other units within the industry” which “tear down and never seek to build or keep the progress we have made.” R. J. “Bob” O’Donnell, general manager of Interstate of Texas, had previously discussed relationships between showmen in which he outlined the work of the Variety clubs, while Earl C. Hull, chief engineer of WKY, Oklahoma City, surveyed television and its probable immediate effect on the theatre industry. Officers Are Elected Morris Loewenstein was named president of the organization for another year. Max Brock was elected vice-president, and Leonard White, secretary-treasurer. New members of the board of directors include John Giffin, Vance Terry, Bill Slepka, Carl Burton and Ralph Talbot, with J. C. Hunter as alternate. Talbot was named chairman of the board. The Monday morning session was opened by President Morris Loewenstein. “The best way to handle legislative matters is the tried and proven ‘man-to-man’ method,” he pointed out, adding: “The most dangerous thing that can happen is for the motion picture industry to get itself swallowed up in government regulation.” Telegrams were then read from Charles E. Kessnich and William F. Rodgers. David Milsten of Tulsa, representing Ascap in Oklahoma and Kansas, opened the afternoon session, discussing the copyright laws and Ascap. Following his discussion, Milsten answered questions concerning score charges. He pointed out Ascap has never received any part of the score charge fees. Milsten stated Representative Duffy was formulating a bill to do away with the $250 copyright infringement fee and to substitute a fine for a violation to be determined by a judge or jury. Dr. Henry G. Bennett, president of the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mineral College at Stillwater, told those assembled: “Today’s generation would recognize anything anywhere in the world because of what B. COLEMAN, M-G-M’s demon publicity man, stole the show with a hotel lobby display featuring huge banners and telegrams from everyone to everyone. Meetings were decorated with seven different types of M-G-M promotional pieces and Coleman had a willing hand ready on any occasion to help with convention details. The Allied Theatre Owners of Oklahoma delegation attended the sessions from time to time. Their corresponding secretary, George Sumner, was invited to talk to the delegates the first day, but declined. It was whispered about the boys were set to do some heckling and question -asking. L. C. Griffith showed up with a sun tan matched only by that of Leonard White and Paul Short. Bill Zoellner made his maiden speech during the product presentation period, and when co-worker Coleman was called on for comment, he declined as he had failed to bring his interpreter along and knew nothing of what Bill had said. D. I. Johnson, who has his hands full as motion pictures have done in the field of education.” Dr. Bennett paid special tribute to “Juarez” as “the finest lesson in Democracy I’ve ever seen anywhere — people who see it will come out with a new concept of what it means to have a government of the people.” Ralph Talbot, head of Talbot Theatres, 'Tulsa, speaking on the return of “flesh” to the theatre, expressed the belief that “only big units can make money in big centers today, and are worthwhile as an investment.” C. B. (Brownie) Akers said “Screen advertising is and should be a sideline,” adding that “intelligent screen advertising has never kept anyone away from a theatre.” Advertising Will Grow He warned against dealing with fly-bynight companies and predicted that the $1,000,000 now spent by companies in theatre advertising would grow to $20,000,000 within the next five years. George Sumner, corresponding secretary of Allied Theatre Owners of Oklahoma, was then introduced. He declined Loewenstein’s bid to address the meeting. 'Tuesday morning’s session was devoted to a presentation of product lineups by several company representatives, with Bill Zoellner, M-G-M; Jack Curry, Paramount; Sol Davis, Republic; Carr Scott, Mono Griffith attorney these days, was on hand swapping handshakes and choice stories. Brownie Akers matched Johnson with one yarn, however. 'The convention photographer got in some neat quips, but was no match for the boys who sat for pictures. Biggest hand after an introduction went to Wallace Walthall when he stood up and was recognized by the chair. We don’t know how it happened, but after the second day noon-hour visiting period was over and all and sundry assembled for the afternoon session. Bill Strieker was distributing M-G-M promotional pieces right and left. A knock-out was Besa Short’s displays on short subjects. Bill Zoellner, Bill Strieker and your Boxoffice correspondent were among those paying tribute to the Biltmore spaghetti with second helpings at the buffet dinners. gram; Dewey Gibbs, Columbia: Ralph Williams, RKO, and Hugh Owen, United Artists, presenting brief discussions, in that order. Bill King of King Scenic Co., Dallas, gave a demonstration of decorative painting effects with the use of black light, following which the convention adjourned for a buffet luncheon. E. W. Smartt, chairman of the Oklahoma board of affairs, opened the 'Tuesday afternoon session by hitting extravagance in government. “Always bear in mind the more taxes your patron pays, the less he has to spend at your boxoffice.” He asked the theatre men to help public officials who are sincere in seeking to reduce the cost of government. Earl C. Hull, chief engineer of radio station WKY here, termed television “a problem child of radio as much as of motion pictures.” “The limitations of television are very real ones,” he stated. “Transmission is affected by such things as sun spots, interference, and the high-cost methods of transportation.” “Television can manufacture the goods, but it can’t deliver them. Coaxial cables cost far too much to be of use . . . films are not suitable because of the lighting problems involved and because of the problem of jump in so small a picture. To date, relay stations are the only prac BOXOFFICE July 1, 1939 s 63