Exhibitors Herald (Apr-Jun 1920)

36 K X H I B I T () R S II K R A L I) June 26, 1920 turned over to the exhibitors wh«SC screens were used? HOW much has gone into the treasury of the N. \ . State Exhibitors' League and who has the balance? ISN'T it a fact that Cleveland exhibitors are restrained by you from showing Industrial Films by reason of a contract entered into by that body and vourself ? WHERE does Henry H. Lustig fit into the National Advertising proposition? WHY did he refuse on behalf of the Cleveland Exhibitors as late as seven weeks ago to use advertising film without your personal permission? ARE you still 'n favor of censorship of national advertising film by a selfconstituted committee? DOES this committee consist of Messrs. Cohen. Reilly and Berman? ISN'T it a fact that the real purpose underlying your activities in behalf of the welfare of the exhibitors is camouflaged and that the true purpose and intent of your visit to Cleveland is to gain control of National Screen Advertising? ISN'T it true that the real motive back Cf the Cleveland Convention is for the control and profit to be derived from National screen advertising, and that the Independent Theatre movement is secondary in consideration? HOW many letters have you received from advertisers since your first an NON-THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES This convention goes on record as opposing the practice common among exchanges throughout the country of supplying regular feature hlms and comedies to non-theatrical institutions and that the producers of the country be asked to restrict the distribution to such institutions of films of a purely religious or educational nature. FOREIGN-MADE PICTURES We deprecate the intents on the par' of certain producers to curtail the output of pictures. Art being international, we favor all motion pictures of merit and quality, regardless of where they are made. We therefore favor the importation of highclass motion pictures, if by such means competition could be kept alive amongst producers. Such pictures create the element of variety in art entertainment and aid to the sources of film service supply, tending to enable us to maintain the present popular prices of admission to motion picture theatres. SCREEN OWNERSHIP Tht Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America, in national convention assembled, now make a public declaration of the fact that the screens of this country belong to them and to the public which they serve. This convention condemns the practice of certain producers and producers' organizations to pledge the screens of this country to any purpose whatever. INDEPENDENT PRODUCER This convention looks upon the motion picture art as one of limitless possibilities and will always reject the idea that this motion picture art can fall into the hands of a few to the exclusion of the many. This convention pledges its hearty and practical support to the independent producer and distributor and declares its intention of assisting both the independent producer and distributor in marketing their products. We believe that there can be no end to competition in producing pictures of quality. SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES It is the sense of this committee that we condemn as unfair competition the leasing or giving free of charge, or by playing percentage, any school, church, community house or charitable organi?ation, of pictures in conflict with the use of such pictures by a motion picture theatre. nouncement was made in the trade papers that offices had been established in New York with a purpose of making and distributing films, and to what pro-* ducing company do you turn over the inquiries so received and have you an interest in this producing company? HAVE you ever taken competitive bids from all producers of Industrial Film? If so, will you read them to us on the convention floor? DO you realize how much revenue you have kept from the exhibitors of the United States by preventing competitive bids for their screen advertising? DO you realize in face of your opposition and propaganda that our organization has already turned over to the exhibitors of the United States nearly $4,000"' How much have you turned over to the Exhibitors through your efforts ? DO you believe that the best interests of the Exhibitors in the United States are safeguarded by a convention with self appointed committees, whose slate was previously prepared by a chosen few? And how many of the men on the various committees are interested in National Screen Advertising activities? DIDN'T you tell me last fall in New York City, when I held several conferences with you, Reilly an-d Berman, that you were all very much interested in the possible profits that might be derived from National Screen Advertising Be it further resolved. That it is the sense of this committee that we cooperate in every way possible with the schools, churches, community houses or charitable organizations, but that we feci that inasmuch as our taxes, overhead and other governmental expenses are so large in the operation of our theatres that producers, before they allow their films to be exhibited in any of the above mentioned places, should first consult with the theatre owner immediately concerned, and should make it clear to the society or organization that in receiving the film the theatre owner is instrumental in their getting the picture. This, however, is not designed to apply to strictly educational or religious subjects. DEPOSITS It is the sense of this committee that the forced deposit system, forced advance payment system, and any other system of collecting funds more than seven days in advance of the play date of the picture, irrespective of the time of the execution of the contract or playing date given, is hereby denounced as vicious, inequitable and entirely unnecessary and wrong in principle and dangerous in practice. It is recommended that this convention go on record as opposed to the same, and that steps be taken through the proper channels to the end that such practice be discontinued and abolished. CONTRACTS It be the sense of this committee that the contracts now entered into by and between the exhibitor and the producer are inequitable, and that this committee recommends that a contract be drafted and submitted to the producer and distributor whereby the exhibitor will at all times have equal rights and be equally protected therein with the distributor and producer. We further recommend that a uniform form of contract be used by all distributors and producers. It is further recommended that the law and legislative committee cause such a contract to be drafted and submitted to the distributor and producer and a report returned forthwith as to their attitude regarding same. RESOLVED, that we are irrevocably in favor of Standard Film Service Contracts and that they be signed and become at once binding upon all parties concerned in each respective distributing zone without further reference to the so-called home offices or elsewhere. and didn't you ask me if we brought about an amalgamation of the two Exhibitor Leagues how you were going to be "cut in" on same, and wasn't this my answer — "that I would not exercise the trust that was placed in me at the St. Louis convention by the exhibitors of the United States in any way for personal gain, and wasn't it a fact that thereafter I was unable to make any further progress toward amalgamation with you? MR. RED-BLOODED EXHIBITOR: This is your last chance to rescue the convention from prclaid plans to control your screens for National Advertising purposes through the so-called "Cleveland Plan" which you have alalready passed — thrash this out on the floor of the Convention irrespective of steam roller tactics; ask for its full meaning. Then you will rescind this vote, and also elect officials who will stand for a square deal. Signed, ALFRED S. BLACK. President, Motion Picture Exhibitors of America, Inc. Hotel Cleveland, Room 2 C 1-2 Cleveland, Ohio June 9. 1920 Resolution, expressing the faith of the delegates in the men attacked and condemning the cowardice and groundlessness of it, was passed uproariously. Iflllllllllfflllllllllllfg POSTERS (The compulsory purchase of certain amounts of posters and other advertising from distributors.) It is the sense of this committee that we are unalterably against all contracts with distributors for pictures that compel us to use any certain or given amount of advertising matter. We insist that the amount used be left entirely to the discretion of the exhibitor who uses the picture, and the amount that he uses be left under his control, and purchased outright at a fair price, and under no circumstances to be leased from the distributor or producer. AMERICANIZATION The motion picture theatre owners of America, in convention assembled, take this occasion of avowing their intention to cooperate with the movement for Americanizing the foreign-born, who have sought the opportunity at this republic. We believe that the screen is especially suited for the intelligent promotion of this important work. The great facts in our history and the conceptions and institutions peculiar to our land arc illustrated on the screens constantly and without any specific propaganda for Americanization. They are assisting in that process every day. The motion picture theatre owners of this country are thoroughly familiar with the conditions and environments surrounding the foreign-born population in the various cities. They, through their daily experience, know the best avenues of approach; and this convention, therefore, offers the benefit of its experience in the preparation of scenarios and the making of such pictures. RESOLVED, that this convention appoint a committee consisting of exhibitors whose advice and experience shall be available in the preparation of scenarios and the placing of the pictures. RESOLVED, that this convention desires to assure the former Secretary of the Interior, Franklin K. Lane, of their desire to cooperate with him and to thank him for his appearance and address before this convention. RESOLVED, that the members of this organization be requested to display at their respective theatres the information that they are members of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America. That the secretary mail to all members slides. ipiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiinim i nmannn n in ihuim n rani niiiimi mi iiaiiiiiiiiiiaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiii | Therefore Be It Resolved That— Resolutions Adopted by the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America at the Convention in Cleveland Illllllllllllllllllllllillllllllllllllllllll^