Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1939)

Terms N. Y. Expulsion "Face-Saving" Step New York — Expulsion of Allied of New York from the national unit is “the only way Colonel Cole and Commissioner Myers could save their faces in view of the record of accomplishment by Allied of New York,” Max A. Cohen, president of the local unit, states in a press release, following the recent mail vote taken by the national board of directors. He adds these men tried to find “some loophole or peg to hang either their faces or their hats” because of the progressive policy adopted by the New York organization. “Remember,” Cohen continues, “we are expelled because of a top-heavy burden placed upon us by national Allied in a job that they had failed miserably to complete.” He goes on to relate how Allied started a unit here in 1932 on a “starvation rate of dues” which failed to complete its obligations. Cole is quoted from excerpts at the Allied of New York convention. May 24, when he endorsed the policies of the local unit and held “it is one of the stoutest babies I ever saw.” Cites His Policy Declaring he has always been in favor of national Allied’s policies, but believed that more could be accomplished by trying to work with distributors than against them, Cohen culls an excerpt from his convention talk and says “Allied of New York has always been committed to a constructive policy and does not believe it contrary to the policies of national Allied. Allied of New York feels that, if this industry can govern itself with self-regulation and that can be accomplished, that, in no wise, interfered with national Allied’s policies.” He refers to several men in the local organization who have been in “cahoots” with Myers as “backbiters.” At a press conference last week: That Allied of New York has always charted its own course is repeatedly pointed out by the president of the unit who adds, “We defy anyone to state we have deviated one iota from the course and from the policies charted by an overwhelming majority of the membership.” In conclusion, Cohen states: “Now comes the important answer to all of this slander, to all of this vinification, to all of this secret ‘inner circle’ politics. “This is our answer: New York Allied stands ready to defend the record. In assuming that defense, we are proud of the record of accomplishment and we glory in our ability to achieve that which heretofore has been considered impossible and unattainable. We have definitely proven that we are entitled to the respect and admiration of those with whom we deal in our daily business contacts: and what is more, we are receiving it. “By conclusive proof offered to the entire industry we have shown we have been able to cope with our own problems, and get relief if it is needed. And, mind you, all of this has come about because at last, in the industry, there arose an or Rodgers Goes West for Studio and ITO Talks Chicago — William F. Rodgers left here Thursday for Hollywood and Los Angeles where he will confer with studio executives and members of the ITO of Southern California and Arizona. The M-G-M sales chieftain has been planning the trip for months. Due to several important product deals pending and code deliberations and modifications before the department of justice termed it “illegal” he had been unable to get away sooner. While here, Rodgers has been conferring with James Coston, Warner zone head, and Jack Flynn, M-G-M midwest district manager, on the local phases of the new threeyear franchise with the circuit. Edward Aaron, assistant to Rodgers, also came on from New York to sit in on the discussions. Women s Clubs Join in Industry Celebration New York — Detailed plans for observance of the industry’s 50th anniversary by members of the New York State Federation of Women’s Clubs have been completed and distributed among local chairmen. In a letter accompanying the plans, Mrs. Malcolm Parker MacCoy, state chairman, states: “'This 50th anniversary celebration offers an excellent opportunity for an organization such as ours, which has had such a powerful influence on film development, to celebrate not only what has been accomplished by motion pictures generally but also what has actually been done by the women of each community to raise standards of local motion picture entertainment.” "Beau Geste" Notches Big In Metropolitan Area New York — “Beau Geste” finished its first week at the Fox, Brooklyn, at $20,000, the third largest gross for the house in the last year. Tlie same picture finished a third stanza at the Paramount on Broadway with approximately $34,000 for a total gross of $124,500 for the engagement. At the Paramount, Newark, the film garnered $12,000 in its first week. ganization that was not dominated by ‘leadership’ tactics; that was not dominated by ‘one man’ policies, but an organization built of men who are willing to shoulder the burden and not ‘let George do it.’ “Let us offer this final bit of advice: We have an organization worthy of our support. National Allied tried to wreck it, but it failed; they are trying to wreck it now — they are trying to wreck it with an ‘inner circle’ whose stake in the industry is negligible. Why they are trying to do this, God only knows, because by their tactics and the continuance of those tactics they must bring ruin to the cause of the independent exhibitor.” Cohen plans to hold a statewide meeting shortly. He asks each member to stand shoulder to shoulder and fight for each other instead of against the next fellow. lATSE-Talent Union Battle Not Over New York — Amicable settlement of the dispute between AAAA and AFA seems remote, with the impression prevailing that George Browne, president of the lATSE, which recently granted a charter to AFA, is girding his forces for a “fight to the finish.” Browne is understood to have sent out a letter to all lA locals where members fall within the jurisdiction of the AFA to enroll night club and variety performers in the AFA. This, according to observers, means fight, since the move is designed to bulwark the membership in the AFA for a concerted battle with AAAA. A resolution has been unanimously dopted by the Hollywood board of the Screen Actors Guild which, in part, states reprisals have been threatened against one or more of the unions affiliated with AAAA and that any such attack or reprisal is an attack on all AAAA unions. 'The full support of the Guild in an AAAA fight to the finish plan is promised by the Hollywood local. Meanwhile, Actors’ Equity has indefinitely suspended Sophie Tucker, AFA president. Hearing in Frels Trust Case Is Postponed ■Victoria, Tex. — Hearing of the injunction case against the J. G. Long and R. E. Griffith Theatres, also including Jefferson Amusement Co. as fUed by Rubin Frels, seeking to restrain building of a new theatre in "Victoria because of alleged stay of trade practices, has been postponed in state district court until Monday, August 28. The postponement also carried with it a temporary restraining order that the Long-Griffith combination may not proceed with the new house until the hearing for injunction is completed. Contract for the new theatre was to be let August 15. Because of circumstances surrounding the new house Frels claims a combination and conspiracy in restraint of commerce contrary to the state antitrust laws. The postponement, according to the report, was given because defendants had not sufficient time in which to prepare for the hearing. Crescent Chain Postpones Murfreesboro House Murfreesboro — The first effect of the government’s suit against the Crescent Amusement Co. has been the indefinite postponement of plans for erection of a new theatre here. The complaint filed against Crescent asks for an injunction against expansion of the present chain. An unconfirmed report states that an independent plans the immediate construction of another house in Murfreesboro. 44 BOXOFFICE :: August 26, 1939