Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1963)

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A REFRESHER COURSE ON ALLIED With Allied members currently assembled in New York for what the organization has tagged its 34th annual convention, it is interesting, and remorseful, to note that hardly one, if any, of the original founders is still active in its affairs. Most of them are deceased and, in many cases, the sons are carrying on the work of their sires. The beginnings of Allied have been somewhat lost in the annals of exhibition progress and some “historians” peg 1928 as its founding year, the year in which the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America voted to admit affiliated circuits to its membership at a convention in Toronto. Others claim the real beginning came with the election of Abram F. Myers as president and general counsel in January 1929. Actually, the original Allied States Ass’n was founded in 1923 by several prominent members of MPTOA who had protested some of the practices of the organization. The MPTOA had been formed in 1920, primarily to combat Famous Players-Lasky Corp.’s policy of acquiring theatres. But dissension was created when MPTOA, in 1923, elected certain officers who were said to be in sympathy with the development of producer-owned theatres. Spearheaded by A1 Steffes of Minneapolis, Allied was formed and several of the MPTOA regional units affiliated themselves with the new group. However, the apparent indifference of the majority of the units was a factor in keeping Allied from becoming a strong national body at the time. But its threat against alleged unfair producer activities did have important value and, in 1926, the MPTOA agreed to serve primarily the interests of the Allied Convention (Continued From Page 4) “One organization will be no panacea to correct all the ills that two organizations are working hard to correct right now,” Fine said, “because in the end the exhibitor support necessary to make any cause or effort successful must come from the individual theatre owners themselves.” Fine said that much was to be gained by exhibitors banding together and finding a common arena to air their grievances, such as both national bodies now allowed, “but whether one voice or two can best deliver their message is only an academic point to ponder.” He said, personally, he believed economics and nature would combine to best chart the course in that direction and that Allied stood ready to do whatever was best for the exhibitors of America. On that issue, and any other, he said, Allied would always listen and be alert to exhibitors’ calls. “In the meantime,” Fine concluded, “Allied looks forward to maintaining its chosen task of attempting to better conditions for all of our great industry, with our constantly sincere belief that only by working to achieve success for all can that success be attained by any one of its three distinct segments. We feel that the era of gloom is long behind us, the leveling-off period wherein stability and solidarity re A Brief History independent exhibitor. Acting on that promise, Allied voted to disband and affiliate again with MPTOA. There followed, however, many changes within the industry which adversely affected the independent exhibitor, such as blockbooking, enforced arbitration and what was regarded as an unwieldly standard exhibition contract, plus the continued invasion into exhibition by the producer-distributors. The introduction of sound brought charges of producers cornering the supply of approved sound systems and preventing interchangeability among the various media. Meanwhile, the MPTOA continued to function, but it was unable to prescribe remedies for the ailments and, when circuit representatives were elected to the board of directors, the independent operators realized that control had passed from their hands. So some of the original members of the Allied group decided to reorganize the dissolved association. Their premise was that the public’s interest and that of the independent exhibitor were one and the same, whereas the affiliated theatre’s interest was declared primarily that of the producer. The preliminary efforts were confined to the election of temporary officers and the raising of funds. A sum of $25,000 was subscribed immediately, with an assurance of $100,000 forthcoming in the near future. It was further determined that a prominent figure outside of the industry should be obtained to lead the organization. In January 1929, Allied announced in the tradepress that Abram Myers, former chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, had been appointed president and general counsel. turned to exhibition is now ending and a glorious new era ushering in success and prosperity is now to be welcomed. We are happy to be here to welcome it and we look forward to enjoying it with you.” Allied Merchandising Book Available at Convention NEW YORK— The 1964 edition of the Allied Merchandising Manual, a 128-page, 9x12 inch handbook for exhibitors, will be distributed at National Allied’s 34th annual convention here this week and will be made available without charge to more than 5,000 Allied member theatres across the nation. Executive director Milton H. London described the handbook as a “practical tool for converting a little effort and a little time into a lot of money.” In addition to seven featured articles, the book contains separate sections on public relations, merchandising, market research, group sales, exploitation, promotions, special kiddie shows, PTA sponsored series, student activities, vending promotions, special campaigns for drive-ins and small town campaigns. The Manual also provides basic speeches for theatremen to give at Lions, Kiwanis and Rotary luncheons and other organizational meetings. Several speeches also are included to be used in opposition to film classification or censorship. STATES ASS'N Myers had acquired a knowledge of the industry through his activities in the government’s suits against the General Film Co. and as chairman of the motion picture trade practice conference which was held in New York in October 1927. By March 1932, Allied was active in 36 states and had a total membership representing approximately 6,000 theatres. From that time on, Allied was involved in a variety of activities, including a franchise arrangement with RKO Radio Pictures, Tiffany Productions and RCA Photophone sound equipment ; changes achieved in the standard exhibition contract, establishment of an Allied newsreel and many other events preliminary to the filing of the government’s antitrust suit and following the introduction of several anti-block booking bills in Congress under Allied’s sponsorship. The government suit brought about most of the aims which Allied had been seeking and for which it has been both praised and condemned. In any event, the history of Allied has been a colorful one, always active in the field of trade practice reforms. The more recent aspects of Allied’s history does not warrant repetition here. The old “war horses” of the organization have passed on and the new generation of leaders is carrying on in more tolerant manner, but still inheriting the old fight and aggressiveness of their predecessors and ready to go to bat against inequities and unfair trade practices. Internal strife almost wrecked the organization a few years ago, but the problems have been overcome and Allied again is a dominant factor in the industry of today. Allied Convention to Hear Halpern on Theatre TV NEW YORK — Allied States Ass’n members will hear about large screen, closed circuit theatre television Thursday (24) when Nathan L. Halpern, president of Theatre Network Television, will address the closing session of Allied’s 34th annual convention in the Americana Hotel. “Theatre of Tomorrow: A Communications Center” will be the title of Halpern’s talk. He organized TNT in 1949 and has presented more than 90 per cent of theatre pay TV, in the musical, dramatic and sports fields. In announcing the selection of the TNT president as the windup speaker of the convention, Irving Dollinger, convention chairman, paid tribute to Halpern’s “courage as a pioneer.” He said Halpern had opened up new avenues of progress for everyone in the entertainment business and that his courage in developing large screen, closed circuit television had provided the nation’s exhibitors with new and exciting ways of reaching the public. Col. Preferred Dividend NEW YORK — The board of directors of Columbia Pictures on Tuesday (15) declared the regular quarterly dividend of $1.0614 per share on the $4.25 cumulative preferred stock, payable November 15 to stockholders of record on November 1. BOXOFFICE :: October 21, 1963 7