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WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 193 6
5
Phila. Exhib Unit Plans To Reorganize; May Ask Prominent Figure To Head Group
SAMUELSON, WOODHULL MENTIONED
TALK OF M.P.T.O. MERGER DROPPED
Plans to revive the original Independent Exhibitors Protective Association in the Philadelphia territory are under way, it was learned by FILM BULLETIN Tuesday. The move is scheduled to reach the definite stage at a luncheon meeting to be held next Monday by a group of men previously connected with both the Independent organization and the local M.P.T.O. unit.
With all efforts to bring about a merger of the indies, headed by Charles Segall, Morris Wax, Harry Fried and David Barrist, and the local M.P.T.O. unit, led by Lewen Pizor, definitely dropped, the independent leaders have decided on re-establishment of the I.E.P.A. as the logical move to give the territory an aggressive unaffiliated body.
SEEK ACTIVE HEAD . . .
Part of the plan is to bring in a prominent industry figure outside of the Philadelphia territory to take active charge of the group. Under consideration are Sidney Samuelson, former president of national Allied, and Pete Woodhull, a former president of the M.P.T.O. A., who reputedly quit when he refused to accede to Hays' organization dictation.
It is not definitely known if Samuelson has been approached with any offer, but a preliminary meeting was held with Woodhull in Philadelphia one day last week. It could not be learned exactly what capacity either of these men would occupy, if they accept the post, but it may be assumed that the position would be similar to that held by H. N. Richey, active leader of the Detroit Allied unit.
Another question that remains unanswered, thus far, is whether the I.E.P.A. will again seek affiliation with Allied. It formerly held membership in the national independent organization, but was dropped when the abortive merger with the M.P.T.O. was supposedly consummated last December. The inclusion of affiliated theatres in the merged group made it ineligible for membership in Allied.
N. J. Allied Convention
Sept. 10-11 at Seashore
Allied of New Jersey has fixed September 10-11 as the dates for the annual convention. It will be held at Atlantic City, scene of the unit's past few confabs.
PICKFORD-LASKY
SPLIT; L TO PAR?
By Hollywood Correspondent
2 PICTURES . . .
Hollywood. — What may be a new record for short life of a major producing company was established last week with the announcement that the Mary Pickford-Jesse Lasky outfit will discontinue its operations following completion of its second feature.
Even before the company plunged into actual production on its first film, "One Rainy Afternoon," there were indications of disagreement between the two heads. After considerable quibbling about the story and production matters, the picture got under way and was completed, but proved unsuccessful at the boxoffice.
Five features were to be produced by P-L for United Artists release during the coming season, but this has now been reduced to one, "The World Is Mine," starring Nino Martini, which is now in production. LASKY TO PAR? . . .
It is not unlikely that Lasky will return to Paramount in a production capacity, perhaps as Adolph Zukor's chief aide. The return of the latter to his former dominating position in Paramount and the dire need for competent production manpower by this company presents a perfect setup for the resumption of the association of the two Paramount founders.
Ben Oletsky Acquires
Gold Medal, D.C. Exch'ge
Washington. — Ben Oletsky last week took over control of the Gold Medal Exchange by acquiring the interest of Mrs. Josephine Lucchese. The popular film man has been connected with G-M for several years in a selling capacity.
Exchange has been liquidating whatever product it had since Mascot was merged with Republic. Oletsky now plans to make new state rights deals tor additional product and expects to announce several important deals within the next tew weeks.
N. E. ALLIED WARNS FAILURE TO BACK C-I MAY FINISH ORGAN.
BREAK 'SELLER' MARKET . . .
Boston. — A warning that failure to support the cooperative deal between Allied and Chesterfield-Invincible Pictures might be construed as an indication of satisfaction on the part of exhibitors with the present film situation and lead to the disbandment of the organization, was issued by the Independent Exhibitors of New England, regional Allied unit, in its latest bulletin.
"The present shortage of pictures in the film market, which has created a sellers' market, must be cracked down upon by every independent exhibitor, if he expects to have a profitable business investment in the future," the bulletin states. "Allied is providing you with such an opportunity. There should be no need for us to ask you to buy this product, but we do state most emphatically that failure on your part to go for this deal will convince Allied that you are satisfied with present market conditions, and that you no longer have need of an organization."
This unit is headed by Nathan Yamins, president of national Allied.
No Action Yet by Conn.
Group on Allied Tieup
New Haven. — No definite decision on affiliating with national Allied has been reached yet by the Independent M.P.T.O. of Connecticut, according to J. A. Davis, executive secretary of the unit.
"In many issues our heart has been with them and in many legislative matters of benefit to the independent exhibitors we have put our shoulders to the wheel in concert with the efforts of Allied," Davis declared. "W hat our final decision will be with respect to any definite affiliation, I do not know, nor would I care to hazard a guess."
The I. M.P.T.O. group is .in offshoot of the local M.P.T.O. unit. The break came when indie members of the latter outfit balked at attempts to affiliate them with the M.P.T.O.A.