Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1938)

Oklahoma Educator Assails MP T OA Industry Policy Allied Continuing Monopolg Assault Oklahoma City — “Propaganda methods” of the MPTOA, the speech of Ed Kuykendall before the convention here last week and Kuykendall’s actions in the past, were attacked here by Mrs. Winifred Perry, Norman, before members of the English department of the city district of the Oklahoma Educational association, immediately after the MPTOA convention. The association’s convention was termed by Mi's. Perry, a theatre historian, “as a Roman holiday for publicity purposes of the motion picture industry.” She charged that “propaganda methods and policies are employed by the MPTOA in fighting independent theatre owners” and stated that if independent operators only had a “fair break” in getting products they could defeat the chain operator. Her remarks were given prominent position in local newspapers and were carried over press wires throughout the southwest. In her fiery attack she pointed out that the above referred to “break” is prohibited by producer-operator tieups sponsored by such organizations as the MPTOA. “Ed Kuykendall has been sounding off for a long time,” she said in her reference to the MPTOA president, “and always on the same theme; harmony within the industry, cooperation between exhibitors, distributors and producers and self-regulation rather than control by legislation. “He charged that the Allied States Association of Motion Picture Exhibitors is formulating internal strife among exhibitors and that the anti-monopoly suit instituted by the department of justice against tieups between exhibitors and distributors could be productive of no good.” Mrs. Perry described Allied members as “mainly community or neighborhood theatres, the inexpensive houses that you and your children would attend if the exhibitor could get the pictures you want him to show.” She then urged her listeners to support the Neely anti-block booking bill “which would make it possible for the theatre owner to buy pictures he considers desirable without taking a number of unwanted productions.” She charged that “block booking is a discriminatory and obstructive practice which cuts down on the profits of the independent exhibitor and puts money in the pockets of the big producers.” She is the wife of Charles M. Perry, head of the philosophy department at the University of Oklahoma, and is author of two college text books on the theatre. (Continued from preceding page) Austin designed to defeat independent grocers. Howell said 20 years ago he saw that the independent exhibitor organization was not functioning and that he took the liberty of calling a convention. On the nominating committee were Joe Clemmons of Beaumont and H. G. Hodge of Abilene. “Where are these men today?” Howell asked. All that has been done for the independent exhibitor has been done by Allied and nobody else. In this connection he gave highest praise to Abram F. Myers and Cole, whom, he said, were working for principle and not money. He described the MPTOA as “purely a producers’ organization.” Committees Appointed Three committees were appointed: Finance— Jack Lilly, Andy Mauldin, Ted Lewis, Bob Smith and Rubin Frels. Resolutions— S. G. Howell, L. C. Tidball and C. W. Niece. Nominations — Mrs. Marthe McSpadden, Henry Hall and Homer Mulkey. Luncheon was served in the convention room before start of the meeting. George Hoover to Head Miami's New Sheridan Miami — When the Sheridan reopens for the winter season November 16, it will have as its manager George Hoover, who comes here from Springfield, Mass., where he managed Warner’s Capitol for five years. Hoover, a graduate of Annapolis Naval academy, has been in the theatre business for 22 years, most of which has been spent in New York City. Opening with “If I Were King,” the Sheridan will again assume rank of the Paramount’s first run house in the area. The present season will be the third for this Miami Beach deluxer. George Allen returns to the Sheridan as assistant manager. A Thanksgiving Day opening is scheduled for the new Paramount, which has been converted into a deluxe house during the summer. Its manager will be Rollin K. Stonebrook, former manager of the Sheridan. He also will continue in his present capacity as director of publicity for all houses in the Paramount chain. Johnny Dwyer, assistant manager at the Cinema Theatre, is being transferred to the Paramount as Stonebrook’s assistant. T. W. Skipper, chief usher at the Olympia, will go over on the beach to be Joe Abercrombie’s assistant at the Cinema. All theatres in the Paramount circuit will again be reopened when the Community, on Lincoln road, Miami Beach, relights in marquee in December. Charlie Whitacre is to go in as manager there. WIL-KIN LEADS From the Booth MOTIOGRAPH PROJECTORS WESTERN ELECTRIC SOUND BRENKERT LAMPS HURLEY SCREENS STRONG CHANGEOVERS CINEPHOR LENS IMPERIAL GENERATORS FOREST RECTIFIERS DA-LITE SCREENS WIL-KIN DRAPERIES To the Screen Serving the Southeast With 'Everything for the Theatre Except Film' WIL-KIN 150 Walton St.. ATLANTA Phone WALnut 4613 321 S. Church/ CHARLOTTE Phone 8620 “EVERYTHING FOR THE THEATRE EXCEPT FILM ” 120 BOXOFFICE :: November 12, 1938