The Exhibitor (Nov 1938-May 1939)

5 TERRI TO HIGHLIC Virginia MPTO Elects Crockett, Other Heads Brandt Highlights Washington Meeting W. F. Crockett was re-elected president of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of Virginia, Inc., at the mid-winter meeting at the Shoreham Hotel, Washington, D. C., last week. Returned, also, were Benjamin T. Pitts, vice-president; Harold Wood, secretary; Sam Bendheim, Jr., treasurer. Re-election of the slate also was taken as signal endorsement by the body of the work being done by the heads of the organization, particularly as regards the representation of the Messrs. Crockett and Pitts on the industry parley committee recently meeting in New York City with the distributors. The board of directors was re-elected with but a few changes. The convention itself was voted the best in recent history, with the address of Harry Brandt, president of the ITOA of New York City, and also a member of the parley group, the highlight. Invited by president Crockett to speak of his impressions of the trade parley, Brandt held the attention of his listeners for more than an hour. Before his address, the body heard reports from Morton G. Thalhimer, president Crockett, counsel Robert Barton, Esq,, on general matters. It was indicated that the organization would seek a showdown on the current dispute of whether a local authority could supersede rulings of the state censor board. Probability of legislation affecting the business was also discussed. President Crockett reviewed his work at the recent New York meetings and gave credit to the co-operation he had received from Brandt. Official welcome to the organization came from Representative Jennings Randolph, West Virginia, brought to the meeting by Loew’s Carter Barron. Representative Randolph expressed his liking for films and said he was opposed to games played in theatres and double features. It was apparent that the Virginia group was well pleased with the co-operation it had received from Brandt on its New York trips and that they would continue to give strong co-operation in return. The Virginia body is unaffiliated and will continue as such. Place of the next convention will be determined through a poll of member. Roanoke was mentioned as a possible spot. Convention ended with a dinner, attended by those present at the convention in addition to exchangemen, etc., guests from the Washington area. In his address Brandt praised the co-operation given him by the Virginia parley committee members led by president Crockett. Brandt stated that he was against any legislation affecting motion pictures, whether state or national. Regarding the proposed trade memorandum, he declared that he was against discrimination, particularly where it was directed against the small theatre. Stating that he did not personally care whether block booking was abolished, he did say he was opposed to blind buying. He was opposed to conciliation, but for arbitration. He declared that the set of rules to be used in arbitration should be definite, nothing left to chance. He told his listeners that arbitration was legal and that under a plan suggested by Milton C. Weisman, attorney for the ITOA, such a procedure would not be ruled illegal by the courts. He also declared that Weisman had convinced attorneys for the distributors of this. He inferred that Weisman’s proof of legality was backed by decision of the courts. Brandt praised Metro sales chief William F. Rodgers and 20th Century-Fox head Sidney R. Kent. He said these two men were sincere, but declared he would not say the same for all the others. Brandt also commended Darryl Zanuck’s action in withdrawing Tyrone Power from a radio program. Brandt declared that a group of 12 men, representing 12 organizations, was now combating appearance of movie stars on radio programs. He said that he had gone to Nicholas M. Schenck, Metro, to get his support, for a plan, details of which were secret, but it was not forthcoming at the time. However, he was given a promise that something would be done and that Schenck’s word could be depended upon. Brandt stated that his organization had inserted an ad in Hollywood about the radio development and that already he had received commendation from Jack Warner and William LeBaron. Brandt declared that he was not opposed to the appearance on the air of radio stars who had made good in films. Questioned on double features, Brandt declared that he did not think the major circuits in New York City wanted to get rid of the duals. He said that he had five houses running single features and they were also making money. Brandt indicated that in his opinion giveaways would eventually vanish, including premiums. ( Continued on page 6) Rinard Bill Would Curb Screen Ad, Trailer Use Delaivare Measure Called Drastic by Trade State Senator Paul R. Rinard, Wilmington, Delaware, tossed a "bombshell” into the theatrical ring last fortnight with a proposal to curb screen advertising and curtail trailers. His bill stirred at least one manager to action. Joseph A. DeFiore, manager, Park, said the Rinard bill in some respects was absurd. The R inard bill, if passed, would prohibit a theatre from displaying any advertising, preview or trailer which would require over three minutes during an entire program unless proper notice is first given the patron "by displaying conspicuously upon the cashier’s window and upon all billboards in front of the theatre,” notice that such advertisements were to be on the screen. It also would make it unlawful for any movie theatre to cut into insert or display any advertisements, previews or trailer in any newsreel and it would require that newsreels consist solely of news events. Persons close to Senator Rinard say the bill is one of his own ideas, fostered after he was bored one time recently by a lengthy series of trailers and previews. DeFiore’s attitude towards the bill represents a middle-of-the-road but firm opposition to the measure. Said he: "I think the majority of motion picture theatre managers in Delaware and elsewhere for that matter, are opposed to outright commercial advertising on their screen, particularly when it is carried to excess, but to limit legitimate previews to three minutes and burden neighborhood houses and even chain houses that change their pictures several times a week with the responsibility of warning the patron in advance is absurd. My practice is never to let trailer and preview sections of the program run more than nine minutes. "There is one good point to Senator Rinard’s bill. I don’t think the newsreels should be spliced up with advertising of pictures and previews.” The Rinard bill would impose a fine of $50 for the first offense and $100 for the second offense and it would authorize the court to pay to the informant leading to the arrest and conviction, one half of the fine. This particular feature, DeFiore said, was particularly dangerous. Maryland Blue Law Tiff Up Claims that "efforts are being made to distort the real motive and aim” of h:s proposals to repeal the county’s Sunday blue laws were made last week by Delegate J. Howard Johnson, Wicomico county delegate to the Maryland General Assembly. The bills received original support from the county delegation, but opposition has developed since. Johnson’s proposal would legalize athletic contests and movies at hours other than those usually devoted to church services. February I J, 1939 NAT