Exhibitor's Trade Review (Nov 1925 - Feb 1926)

EXHIBITORS REVIEW The New Exhibition Contract IX THIS issue EXHIBITORS REVIEW prints the full text of the new uniform exhibition contract, as agreed on and established last week by a conference of the Motion Picture Producers & Distributors of America, the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America and the Allied States organization. Every Exhibitor should familiarize himself, immediately, Avith the provisions of the new form. It contains many important changes from the old contract and a number of entirely new features which, in actual practice, will substantially increase the Exhibitor's measure of rights and, in some instances, his responsibilities. That this document is a vast improvement over the contract heretofore in effect will be apparent at a glance. That it will afford a large measure of future protection to Exhibitors will become evident on careful reading. It probably is not perfect. The Constitution of the United States had to be amended on a number of occasions. So it will not be altogether surprising if occasionally some clause of this new contract gives rise to disagreement. But the main thing is that it constitutes a real advance in the basic methods of the business. Also, provision has been made, through the establishing of an advisory committee, to provide a means whereby future disputes of basic character can be handled. Every reader is urged to study the text of the new contract as printed in this issue and to preserve this copy for reference. And, having acquainted yourself with the most important document thus far written in the motion picture business, your attention is directed to these facts: 1. If there had not been altogether too much sharp practice and trickery on both sides in the early days of the industry, the exhibition contract would never have assumed its present importance. Now is the time, with the aid of this improved contract, to inaugurate a drive for decent methods on both sides of the fence'. The time for a general house-cleaning of the industry will never be more opportune. It can be had by giving ample publicity to every trickster and his tactics brought to light before the arbitration boards. This should be done, whether the offender is large or small. seller or buyer. Couple publicity with arbitration and there will come tremendous improvement in the methods of conducting this business. 2. The new contract is the result of long and painstaking effort. The heavy work in behalf of the Exhibitors' case has been done by the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America. Necessarily, the benefits of the new deal go alike to those who support and those who ignore the M. P. T. O. A. and its affiliated units. But there is no reason why any organization should extend the full benefits of its service and help to those who refuse to pay their share of the cost of its operation. If the M. P. T. O. A. and affiliated organizations refuse further aid to Exhibitors who insist on remaining outside the fold, they will be within their rights and fully justified. 3. As has already been pointed out in Exhibitors DAILY REVIEW, the revised contract is evidence of what can be accomplished by united Exhibitor organization. There should be no need of further demonstration of the value of such organization, of the treasonable character of any act or policy that brings division in Exhibitor ranks. 4. It becomes evident, also, that once Exhibitor interests actually are united, most of the disagreements of the industry can be amicably settled through negotiation and mediation. The Hays organization indicates its willingness to meet the Exhibitors of the country fairly and squarely, but only when it can actually meet them through fully accredited agents, whose power to negotiate is undisputed. This means, in other words, that once the political sharpshooting which has characterized Exhibitor organization activities of the past is stopped, there need be no further open breaches within the industry, costing no one knows how much in money and wasted effort. And as the M. P. T. O. A. is the one possible medium whereby the Exhibitors of the country can have national representation, it is the duty of every Exhibitor who desires peace and an opportunity to devote his attention to his legitimate business to assist in making the M. P. T. O. A. Avhat it ought to be, what it deserves to be, the real voice of the theatre owners of America.