Exhibitors Herald (1926)

September 4, 1926 EXHIBITORS HERALD 31 Theatre owners from all parts of Wisconsin met at Milwaukee last week and decided how to run the affairs of the state M. P. T. O. for another year. It was one of the organization’s most successful sessions. (Herald photos.) Van Norman New Wisconsin Leader; Collins Gives Talk National President at Milwaukee Convention Urges Exhibitors to Meet Duty of Community Leadership — Tom Foster Pays Tribute to Seegert, Outgoing State Leader (Special to the Herald) MILWAUKEE, Aug. 31.— -One hundred and ten motion picture theatre owners from throughout the state of Wisconsin gathered in Milwaukee last Wednesday and Thursday at the most successful annual convention of the M.P.T.O. of Wisconsin and elected E. W. Van Norman of Milwaukee as president. Eli Whitney Collins Speaks It was the consensus of the attending exhibitors that this tenth annual convention was the most enthusiastic meeting ever sponsored by the Wisconsin organization. In addition to the members of the M.P.T.O., the convention was attended by Eli Whitney Collins, of Jonesboro, Arkansas, president of the M.P.T.O. of America, who addressed the exhibitors on responsibility to their communities, and by representatives of the leading theatrical supply houses of the country. Imperial Parley Will Sift British Status in October (Special from The Bioscope) LONDON, Aug. 19 (By Mail)— The president of the Board of Trade, Sir Phillip Cunliffe-Lister, has intimated in Parliament that the whole question of the British film industry will be discussed at the Imperial Conference in October. He further intimated he would not consider any idea of giving the industry further opportunity of arriving at an agreed scheme. The Federation of British Industries has reaffirmed to him the recommendations made by the Federation last year in favor of the quota system and stated its intention to submit to him before the sittingsof the Imperial Conference a detailed practical memorandum. Meantime there is general regret over the failure of the Joint Committee to find a plan agreeable to producers, distributors and exhibitors. Sympathy is expressed with Thomas Ormiston, who has labored unceasingly to find a solution. * * * C. B. Cochran has accepted management of the Albert Hall, London, which can seat 7,000 to 8,000 for screen shows. * * Marcus Loew is one of the principals in acquisition of the Empire theatre, Leicester Square, one of England's most famous theatres. The theatre will be completely rebuilt for a supertheatre on the lines of the Capitol, New York. Ohio Exhibitors Meet Nov. 9-10; Plan Golf Tilt (Special to the Herald) COLUMBUS, Ohio, Aug. 31. — Motion Picture Theatre Owners of Ohio will stage their sixth annual convention in Columbus November 9 and 10, Business Manager P. J. Wood has announced. Sessions will be at the Neil House. An Exhibitors Golf Tournament will be held at the Elks Country Club November 8 to get the theatre owners in shape for the strenuous days to follow' as the organization decides its policies for the coming year. Pressbooks Copyrighted (Special to the Herald) NEW YORK. — Only exhibitors duly licensed by sales contract to exhibit the specific United Artists picture may utilize the pressbook material on that picture under a new decision of United Artists to copyright all pressbook material. Practically all the business meetings, which were held on the mezzanine floor of the Wisconsin hotel, were devoted to a discussion of the problems of the Independent exhibitors. The convention also made a thorough study of the nontheatrical situation. Motion picture ex Eli Whitney Collins, president of the national organization, stressed the importance of community leadership by theatre owners in his address before the convention of the M. P. T. O. of Wisconsin at Milwaukee. (Herald photo). changes and nontheatrical exhibitors pledged themselves not to distribute or exhibit pictures that are not educational. It was also made a matter of record that the convention was opposed to arbitration by the exhibitor members of the board of arbitration who are not in good standing in the organization, or whose theatres are not affiliated with the M.P. T. O. Eli Whitney Collins delivered an interesting and instructive talk on “The Importance of the Theatre Owner in His Community.” In his address Mr. Collins stressed the importance of leadership in any movement designed to promote the welfare of the community. He urged every exhibitor to take an active part in civic affairs. Tom Foster, of Stanley, Wisconsin, on behalf of the members of the M.P. T.O. of Wisconsin, paid a stirring tribute to Fred Seegert, retiring president. Mr. Seegert, who is owner of the Regent theatre, Milwaukee, has been president of the organization for the past three years, and during that time has served the association in a capable and efficient manner. Other Officers Re-elected Besides electing Van Norman as president for the coming year, the convention re-elected the following for another term : F. J. McWilliams, Madison, vicepresident ; E. Langemack, Milwaukee, treasurer ; Max Krofta, Milwaukee, recording secretary; William Jacobs, Milwaukee, sergeant-at-arms. The convention was brought to a close with a luncheon meeting Thursday. ( Additional pictures in "Better Theatres” Section )