Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1962)

Allied Gains Resurgence At Cleveland Convention By AL STEEN NEW YORK — The recent convention of Allied States Ass’n in Cleveland appeal's to have re-established the organization as a powerful exhibitor group which will have a strong voice in industry affairs, according to industry observers who were contacted last week. While it had been conceded that the two previous Allied national conventions were on the weaker side, mainly because of internal dissension, the Cleveland sessions brought out that there had been a rebu’th. There also was evidence of confidence, as reflected by the interest in new equipment. One supply manufacturer told Boxoffice that if he had gone home the fii'st night after the tradeshow opening, participation would still have been profitable, indicating healthy sales. Another large manufactm'er said that he had made three sales, with prospects for more — and the product was one that sold well into the five-figm-e categoi-y On-the-floor comments by exhibitors at the business sessions indicated that the theatremen felt that, if they had complaints on trade practices, they had a right to get up and express themselves. It is reported that there were many more “squawks” behind the closed doors of the board sessions than there were in the open meetings, because there was some reluctance on the part of the smaller exhibitors to sound off with the press present. On the other hand, several exhibitors did express themselves on the premise that the problems of small showmen and big operators were the same. A further evidence of the resurgence of Allied strength was the big attendance at the convention. Even in Allied’s peak years, rarely did a convention draw as many as 500 delegates and observers. The 460-plus attendance in Cleveland was almost a record. Jack Armstrong is taking over the presidency with many problems still ahead, but the outgoing administration has paved the way for a greater recognition of respect for an association which, a few years ago, had almost been given a “rest in peace” wreath. DETROIT — George Stem, chairman of the Allied Resolutions Committee, has released the text of a resolution endorsing the International Film Awards which was passed by the board of directors of Allied States Ass’n of Motion Picture Exhibitors at the recent annual meeting held in Cleveland as follows: “WHEREAS, the International Film Awards Dinner-Dance sponsored by the Independent Film Importers and Distributors of America, Inc. will be held on Jan. 8, 1963, at the Hotel Americana in New York, and "WHEREAS, the event has as its purpose Urges Movie Guide Be Used As 'Voice' to the Public CLEVELAND — An Exhibitors’ Release Advisory Committee is being formed among circuit and independent exhibitors in various parts of the country to cooperate with Movie Guide Magazine in its publication of film features each month, according to an announcement at the National Allied convention in Cleveland. Nathan E. Jacobs, publisher of Movie Guide, said that the promotional magazine will announce the names of the cormnittee very shortly. Jacobs, in speaking at the convention, urged the Allied leaders and members who are not now subscribing to the magazine, or who are ordering only a token amount, to support Movie Guide as the exhibitors’ voice to the public. “Use your Movie Guide as your voice to the general public, to your legislators in your state and in the nation’s capital to speak your own facts and your own overtones, instead of depending upon the socalled objectivity of the free press,” said Jacobs. “The press may have a far different opinion of the public’s welfare than you have, due to the heavy pi-essure of powerful lobbyists on influential organizations. “Use Movie Guide to counter the unfair reviews of motion pictures in the same newspapers in which you spend so many hundreds of thousands of dollars. Om' brief research showed that more people believed the so-called critics more than they believed the theatre’s copywriters.” Jacobs said that Allied members expressed much enthusiasm about Movie Guide and reported wide acceptance by their patrons after the appearance of the first issue. Several Allied groups, which have not been active in the promotion of Movie Guide in their areas, have promised active programs of support to bring meaningful circulation of the magazine in their areas. The offer of the back page for local advertisements by theatres and merchants has been accepted by more than 70 per cent of the exhibitors, according to Jacobs. the promotion of motion pictures from abroad designed for theatrical exhibition in this country, and “WHEREAS, foreign motion pictures are receiving substantial playing time in domestic playdates and the aims of this dinner are of great benefit to the motion picture theatre owners of the United States, “NOW, 'THEREFORE, be it resolved that Allied States Ass’n of Motion Picture Exhibitors go on record as endorsing the International Film Awards and urge its members to cooperate in the success of this constructive industry event.” SIDELIGHTS ^LLIED STATES pulled one of the largest numbers of registrants in its history to the Cleveland convention. Allied registered a total of 464, plus that of the two equipment groups, TESMA and TEDA, with 195. * « ♦ Dr. G. Herbert True, who combines psychology and entertainment in his lectures, had the delegates at the final business session in the palm of his hand. Garbed in a suit of the colonial days. Doctor 'True poured out gags faster than Bob Hope and, at the same time, delivered some pointers on boosting business. He was a speaker at the Show-A-Rama in Kansas City last year. * * * Sam Berns demonstrated his “Hollywood Film Report,” an industry behind-thescenes newsreel, to the Allied representatives, as he did for the TOA convention last month. Judging by the comment cards, the reel scored a hit. ♦ ♦ « The motion picture tradepress was lauded by Milton London at the 'Tuesday business session. He told the delegates he didn’t know how any exhibitor could operate a theatre without the tradepapers, adding that the tradepress “binds us together as an industry.” He stated he hoped producers and distributors would support the papers with more advertising. * * * Bill Cosby, Rod Johnston and all the National Carbon boys again made the visitors welcome at their hospitality suite and staged a smash hit reception prior to the windup banquet. * * * And the windup banquet, staged by Charley Okun and Coca-Cola, was the traditional gala affair. * * * Eprad and Cinema Distributors also had festive hospitality rooms. * * * American-International had a group of models at its Wednesday-sponsored luncheon. ’The gals posed with the diners at each table and then gave twist lessons. Strong's New Xenon Lamp Discussed in Cleveland CLEVELAND — Moi'e than 30 independent theatre supply dealers heard Arthur J. Hatch, president of 'The Strong Electric Corp., discuss the place of the new xenon projection lamp in motion picture theatres at a special meeting during the recent Allied-'TESMA-TEDA convention at the Hotel Sheraton-Cleveland. Hatch also displayed a low-current, economy model projection lamp. The blown arc-type lamp and cold-type reflectors were discussed by Cliff Callender, Strong sales manager. William White, sales, and Harold Plumadore, projection lighting engineer, were also in attendance and a question and answer session was on the program. The dealers were bi-iefed on Strong sales policy, new prices and discounts. Resolution Endorses International Film Awards 10 BOXOFTICE :: December 17, 1962