The Exhibitor (Nov 1939-May 1940)

BM-17 By Louis Sanford Mentlik GEORGE MEAD, general sales manager, General Register Corporation, tore into his office, whipped off his coat and jacket, made himself comfortable behind his neatly-arranged desk, lit a Herbert Tarryton, eyed this reporter in appraisal, rubbed his hands, and said: “Okay, whataya want to know?” Taken somewhat aback by the spryness of a gentleman who has reached the age where most folk would General Register’s Mead His business is his hobby rather relax and call it quits, we just sat down and forgot to ask any questions. “I was born in London, England.” He didn’t wait for a query to start the wheel rolling. After that it was easy. HE WAS EDUCATED at England’s Mistley College, Essex County, and emerged as a Chartered Accountant, the British equivalent to a CPA. Leaving England in 1906, young Mead obtained work in the office of yeast magnate Julius Fleischmann, a friend of the family. After gaining invaluable practical accounting experience in the Fleischmann office, he went to work as chief accountant for the United Cigar Store Company. In 1918, at the tail end of the first World War, he began his career in the ticket machine industry, when he reorganized the Automaticket Ticket Register Corporation, the pioneer in the field. During his two decades in the business, he made countless friends and “enjoys personal and long acquaintanceship with all the leading exhibitors, both in the States and in the Dominion of Canada.” OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS, George Mead was executive vice-president in charge of sales for Automaticket. From 1932 to 1936 he operated his own company, the Standard Ticket Register Corporation, with offices at 1600 Broadway. General Register acquired Standard, and ( Continued on page BM19, column 2) T VOL, 2 NOVEMBER 1 5, 1939 No. 11 World Premieres Prove Helpful As Many Companies Line Up Shows Exploitation Shows Continuing But Not On Former Expensive Scale New York City — The spurt of world premiere openings has begun again, with expectation that it will continue during the current season, a survey by the Better Management department of The Exhibitor showed this week. During the summer there were several premieres, with critics being taken to the center of attention, but while the bally openings continue, it is doubtful whether they will be on such an expensve scale as heretofore. Paramount opened its “Disputed Passage in Detroit, bringing in critics from nearby cities; Columbia had a gala Press Club premiere of “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” in Washington, with the trade press, exhibitors, nearby critics and others invited; Warners set its world premiere bow of “The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex” in Philadelphia, without any attached tours for critics or trade press, although all theatres in the zone participated in the publicizing; 20th Century FTC Announces Rules For Public-Seating Trade Washington — The Federal Trade Commission early last month promulgated the Trade Practice Rules for the public-seating industry. Among the practices the rules outlaw are misrepresentation of products; false invoicing; use of false or deceptive selling methods; misuse of the terms “close-outs,” “obsolete items, discontinued lines,” etc.; defamation of competitors or disparagement of their products; commercial bribery; threats of infringement suits; procurement of competitors’ confidential information by unfair means or the wrongful use thereof; inducing breach of contract; enticing employes of competitors, substitution of products; discriminatory prices, or rebates, refunds, discounts, credits, etc., which effect unlawful price discrimination; and aiding or abetting use of unfair trade practices. It is pointed out in the document that “compliance with the trade-practice provisions ... is considered to be conducive to sound business methods and is to be encouraged and promoted individually or through voluntary cooperation exercised Fox made the most of its New York State premieres of “Drums Along the Mohawk” just a fortnight ago in several cities, while RKO is scheduled to bow in with the Kay Kyser musical, “That’s Right, You’re Wrong,” in his North Carolina home town. RKO also had a gala premiere for “Allegheny Uprising” in Pittsburgh last fortnight. Showmen generally agree that having these openings in various parts of the country is smart selling. Not only does it help business in those particular towns, but it keeps the merchandising division keyed up to top pitch. Naturally, a show which gets such attention always looms as more important in the eyes of the exhibitors, with significant results. It may not always be necessary to spend a fortune on the premieres, but by keeping the budget down and handling the matter in a sensible manner, everyone can benefit. in accordance with existing law,” but that “non-observance of such rules does not, per se, constitute a violation of the law. Where, however, the practice of not complying ... is followed in such manner as to result in unfair methods of competition, or unfair or deceptive acts or practices, corrective proceedings may be instituted by the Commission. . . .” The rules suggest the keeping of “proper and adequate records for determining costs,” and discourages the employment of “blind bids” (where a stated discount is offered, applicable to the lowest bid made) . Zenith Testing Television Chicago — Through arrangement with Burton Holmes, Inc., producers of motion pictures, the Zenith Radio Corporation will transmit film regularly on its television test-program schedule. A partial objective will be to test the television possibilities of commercial and educational motion pictures. First picture, “To the Ladies,” transmitted October 11, is an educational feature of the Milwaukee Lace Paper Company. Zenith, which has been transmitting visual programs twice a week, is contemplating stepping this up to three a week. November 15, 1939 THE EXHIBITOR was.