The Exhibitor (Nov 1938-May 1939)

12 THE NATIONAL MIRROR Monogram Officially Sets Johnston Drive February Occasion for Date , Business Bush Further to boost the ever-growing enthusiasm among the country’s exhibitors for the Silver Jubilee of W. Ray Johnston, president, Monogram, honoring his 2 5 years in the motion picture business, sales chief George W. Weeks revealed the scope of the movement last week. Said Weeks: "W. Ray Johnston has unselfishly devoted 2 5 years of his life to the advancement of the motion picture industry. Either directly or indirectly, every exhibitor in America has benefited to some degree. Down through the years, he has never failed the exhibitors. His fairness, loyalty and his principles of economy have been of outstanding help in the success of many of America’s leading showmen. His continuous delivery of good product starting with some of the first pictures ever produced, very definitely ensures the industry of dependable box office merchandise. This is his 2 5 th anniversary and we in Monogram want to celebrate his Silver Jubilee by paying tribute in the only way we can — by doing a better job for Monogram and our President. Monogram men nationally have set the month of February as a big push in appreciation of W. Ray Johnston’s Silver Jubilee.” Allied Complete Plans for Annual Washington Meeting Annual January meeting of the board of directors of Allied States Association to be held in Washington January 17, 1 8 will see, in addition to the usual features such as the election of officers, selection of time, place of the next convention, routine association business, the board devote at least one full day to the consideration of the distributors’ trade practice proposals forwarded by William F. Rodgers under date of December 1. The Allied Negotiating Committee will meet in advance of the board. January 15 will be the 10th anniversary of the founding of Allied States Association. Board will hold a dinner in honor of the survivors of those who signed the original underwriters’ agreement. 20th Fox Meets in Chicago 20th Century-Fox will hold its annual convention in Chicago in April, it was indicated last week. Paramount Executives Hold St. Louis Sessions Top Men of Company Discuss Forthcoming Product Fifteen executives, district managers comprised the Paramount home office contingent attending the three-day Paramount district sales managers meeting at the Coronado Hotel, St. Louis January 7, 8, 9. Among those present were Neil F. Agnew, sales manager, who presided; division manager J. J. Unger, Charles Reagan, Oscar Morgan, who was recently named head of the newly-created southern sales division; R. M. Gillham, director of advertising, publicity; G. B. J. Frawley, Don Velde, Alec Moss, Fred Leroy, Jack Roper, Herman Lorber, Arthur Dunne, Lou Diamond, district managers M. S. Kusell, New York, W. H. Erbb, Boston. Cliff Lewis, studio advertising manager, also attended the St. Louis sessions. American Films Still Shown in Italy, Survey Indicates American films are still being shown in Italian theatres despite the coming into effect of the government decree that drastically curtails their importantion, a survey shows. It is foreseen that the shortage of American films will not be felt for som: time yet because of the fact that th; exhibitors still have a supply of last year’s importations. Of the 3 50 films required annually by the Italian market, the film importation monopoly, an agency of the state, will supply 200. It will buy about 3 5 films from lesser American producers, 40 from Germany, 20 from France, 10 from Britain. In addition, the Italian industry will produce about 60. Usual Measures Introduced At New Session of Congress Bills familiar to the motion picture industry were re-introduced in Congress when that body convened last week. Among the measures were: One by Representative Andrew Edmiston, West Virginia, banning block booking, blind-selling, etc. It was similar to the Neely measure approved at the last Congress. One by Representative Francis D. Culkin, providing for regulation of the motion picture industry. RCA Photophone Meets More than 5 0 RCA Photophone sales representatives, service managers from all parts of the country gathered at the Camden, New Jersey, headquarters of the company January 10 for a three-day sales convention, where top Photophone executives were to outline 1939 selling, advertising plans. The following executives were scheduled to make addresses at the convention: Henry C. Bonfig, commercial vice-president, RCA Manufacturing Company; Harry L. Sommerer, RCA Photophone division manager; Homer B. Snook, reproducer sales manager; Edward C. Cahill, service manager; Edward Auger, reproducer sales executive; E. T. Jones, Photophone advertising manager; Fred Wilson, manager of field sales activities for the RCA Manufacturing Company; Max Batsel, chief Photophone engineer; Morris J. Yahr, technical expert; Lynn Brodton, prominent RCA designer, stylist. Dufaycolur Film Changes Hands Control of Dufaycolor, Inc., passed last week from English to American hands. Exclusively American management now takes over operation of the company, according to the statement issued by Pierpont M. Hamilton, president, Dufaycolor Company, Inc. Dufaycolor film was developed in England, introduced in this country several years ago under English auspices. MPTOA Meets With Kent The MPTOA parley committee was scheduled to meet with 20th CenturyFox president Sidney R. Kent this week, following a meeting of the board of the organization. This was the session which was to have been held early in December, but postponed. Financial Notes Financial notes of the week included the following: COLUMBIA. Filed with the SEC was an amendment to the voting trust registration statement deferring the effective date to January 12. New Producing Unit A new producing unit, involving stars represented by Harry Edington, coast agent, was announced last week. A schedule of from four to six pictures annually, with release through Universal, is indicated. January 11, 1919