Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World (Oct-Dec 1928)

32 EXHIBITORS HERALD and MOVING PICTURE WORLD October 20, 1928 Fireworks Expected at Toronto; Allied States Is Revived (Continued from page 21) MPTO A, declared on his arrival Tuesday : "Wisconsin will stay with the national organization." He said emphatically, "We don't feel that we should leave the MPTO A." R. R. Biechele, president of the KansasMissouri MPTO A, did not wish to be quoted as to his stand, but others close to the man who is generally credited with controlling those two states declared that he was against deflection. They held that it would be inconsistent for the state body to do anything but adhere to the national organization. The importance of the present convention in the eyes of the M P P D A is reflected in the attendance of not only C. C. Pettijohn, general counsel of the Film Boards of Trade, but also Carl E. Milliken, A. S. Dickcrson, and Publicitv Manager Wilkerson from the office of Will H. Hays. Hudson Bill Denounced The Hudson bill for federal regulation, which goes much farther than the Brookhart Bill, was denounced in the directors meeting last night and plans for fighting it were prepared for convention action. The determination of Allied to revive its organization was indicated in the developments at Kalamazoo, where Col. H. A. Cole of Texas, informed Will Whitmore of the HeraldWorld that he had resigned from the Contract Committee and H. M. Richey of Michigan intimated that he would take the same step. Several declared that politics will be barred in the new association. W. A. Steffes of Minneapolis was elected temporary president of the new Allied association and Richey secretary. The following states were declared to be already lined up for Allied : Minnesota Western Pa. Michigan Texas North Dakota Missouri South Dakota Kansas Iowa Illinois Indiana Nebraska Ohio Wisconsin A defense fund of $100,000 is to bc raised for the organization, Richey declared, with $25,000 put up at the meeting of the Allied forces in Kalamazoo. Part of the plan is to employ a "big man" from the outside to represent the interests of the association. Steffes Temporary President "The new organization of the Allied is brought about by the need of strong state organization supported by the exhibitors and not the producers," Steffes said. "As far as I know there is not a single state organization contributing toward the support of the national organization. "I have been elected temporary president and Richey secretary. The board of directors will be composed of the presidents of the individual state organizations or whomever they choose to delegate. "We plan to begin operation in November and to appoint a general manager from the outside at a large salary to manage the organization. Six states have already invited the organization crew to visit them to explain the new organization. "Fourteen states are expected to be represented at the outset. Offices will be at Detroit and Minneapolis." Richey aimed a full-grown blow at the national organization in explaining the reason for the revival of Allied. Cole had declared at Kalamazoo that he was "through" with the Contract Committee because his "views do not coincide with the majority of the members." "Due to the inactivity of the national organization we felt that there was a demand for the reorganization of the Allied States," Richey declared. Jerry Cadoret of Scranton. Pa., who is a familiar figure at conventions of the national organizations; and M. A. Lightman of El Dorado, Ark., leader of that tional organization; and M. A. Lighting his speech on "Sound Pictures and Main Street," for the Wednesday program. "A fund of $25,000 was put up to begin operation and it is the plan to raise a defense fund of $100,000 for the organization. "The men have pledged their time for from 30 to 60 days to interest the individual states. A crew will be organized to go to each state to speak. "It is the aim to build up strong state organizations. All politics is eliminated at the outset. Had Origin in Chicago "The Allied organization disbanded two years ago at Los Angeles as a result of the promise of the national organization to serve us. This they have absolutely failed to do." Attending the Allied meeting at Kalamazoo, which was distinct from the general convention (the subject was not even brought up on the convention floor) were Richey, J. C. Ritter, Glenn A. Cross, Harlan Hall, W. S. MacLaren and E. E. Kirchner, all of Michigan ; A. Julian Brylawski of Washington, D. C, and chairman of the board of the national organization; M. A. Rosenberg and Fred J. Herrington of Pittsburgh, Frank J. Rembusch of Indiana, E. B. Smith of Iowa, Cole of Texas, W. M. James and P. J. Wood of Ohio, Steffes and A. A. Kaplan of Minneapolis. Jack Miller of Chicago and R. R. Biechele of Kansas-Missouri were not present. It was reported also that W. S. Butterfield was at the session from which the press was barred. It will be recalled that Allied first came into being after the Chicago convention of 1923 at which Steffes and Ritter withdrew as candidates for the presidency following the re-election of Sydney S. Cohen despite his previous announcement that he would decline the office. A Convention Is Always a Convention (Continued from pane 21) The vote appears to be almost unanimous for ale and beer. In fact, it appears now that there will be less drinking at this convention than any previous convention and what drinking is done will be the consumption of comparatively light beverages. The exhibit of Theatre K<|uipment Manufacturers and Dealers on the second floor of the King Edward is one of the pleasant surprises of the session. It is one of the finest ever held in connection with a National convention and is so conveniently located that it is 1 icing well patronized. Equipment having anything to do with sound pictures and synchronization generally is especially attracting attention. Toronto has put itself out to make everv...... f,.,| welcome THE CITY IS MAKING MANY NEW FRIENDS THIS WEEK! Interstate Takes Over Universal s Last Two New England Theatres (Special to the Herald-World) BOSTON, Oct. 16.— Interstate Theatre Corporation has taken over the Capitol at Somerville and Revere at Revere, Universal's last two theatres in New England. The Interstate circuit started two years ago when it took over three theatres in Putnam, Danielson and Rockville, all in Connecticut. After remodeling these, Intercircuit built the Atmospheric State in Milford, Mass., and the State in Stoughton, Mass., then took over the Orpheum in Canton and the Colonial, in Brockton. This summer it acquired the Crescent Gardens, Revere Beach, getting control there. Vitaphone and Movietone are being installed next month in Somerville and Revere. The Brockton and Milford houses already have been wired. Edward Ansin and E. Harold Stoneham, both of Brooklyn, are the officers of Interstate. Rules Police Lack Right To Fix Time of Closing No place of amusement in Chicago may be forced to close at an hour set by the police, according to a ruling by the corporation counsel last week, made in answer to a request by the commissioner of police. An ordinance would have to be passed by the city council establishing a closing hour, such as now exists in New York City. No places of "legitimate amusement," it was said at the commissioner's office, are aimed at by the police department in whatever plan it may have to regulate the closing of amusement places. All types of theatres were specifically excluded. 500 Students Attack Theatre During Show (Special to the Herald-World) ALBANY, Oct. 16.— Trouble between students at Clarkson College, Potsdam, N. Y., and the Rialto theatre in the same village, resulted in an attack by about 500 students, both men and women, on the theatre last week. The students gathered downtown, then went to the theatre. The doors were barred by state police. The students then kindled a large bonfire and in the course of the excitement, a considerable number made a flank attack on 'he theatre and gained entrance through rear exits. The show ended in pandemonium. Brilant Appointed Head Of U's Colony, New York (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Oct. 16.— Arthur M. Brilant, veteran exploitation and theatre man, last Friday became managing director of the Colony theatre, Universal first-run house. W. J. Callahan became house manager. The Colony, just reopened by Universal, is showing the Universal sound picture, "Lonesome." Showing of Fight Films Brings Federal True Bill (Special to the Herald-World) LOUISVILLE, Oct. 16.— Joseph L. Steuerle, formerly manager and operator of the Walnut theatre and now connected with the Rex, who was arrested on a federal warrant in connection with showing of the TunneyHeeney fight pictures at the Walnut, was indicted by the federal grand jury last week.