Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1958)

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lewpomts On L it tit/ E. G. STELLINGS ron//c, President of TO A The title of the editorial in your issue of September 29, "DISUNITY IS A LUXURY EXHIBITION CANT AFFORD, " is most intriguing. To me it represents more than the one intended interpretation. I think it goes without saying that for the past several years T.O.A. has done its utmost to avoid disunity and to create harmony in this business. It has always been my philosophy that problems can be solved to the best interest of all concerned around a table and not in the courts or the political halls of Washington, regardless of the source of the proposal. It is my firm conviction that there has been a more harmonious approach to — and a far greater understanding of — the mutual problems of the various segments of this business during the past few years than e\er before — and this at a time when all segments of our business were individually beset by more major problems than at any other period in industry history. To cite a few examples of the result of harmony and co-operation, I need only to mention the spirit of co-operation that has existed in two years of effort to develop a Business Building Campaign for the industry; the results of the effort to develop a more orderly release of product; the very definite assistance rendered scores upon scores of small exhibitors by distributors through a complete disregard of sales policies and to offer definite aid to the small exhibitors; the co-operation from various people to reduce or eliminate admission taxes; — these and many more illustrations are available to indicate the results of a co-operative understanding of and a harmonious approach to many problems. Does anyone think these things could have been accomplished if all segments of our business had pulled in different directions No one element of this business can expect to have everything it feels it should have, in many cases selfishly. There can be no question but that one big, or all-encompassing exhibitor organization would be beneficial. It definitely would be helpful provided it operated on a policy of harmon)' and co-operation. Its activities would necessitate a constructive approach and also consideration of all factions in this business. LInity, under such circumstances and policies, \\()uld be a tremendous factor for our industry. It seems to me that there is little difference in what various groups desire to accomplish — the big difference is in the method used in trying to soh e any or all problems, in which more constructive solutions should be sought. Certainly the record indicates that T.O.A has always welcomed and sought the co-operation of all groups in its constructive and unified efforts in behalf of the industry. We believe the plans and the efforts of T.O.A. have been directed in such a way that they can be beneficial to the industry as a \\hole. In the past, we have pursued such a policy and I feel certain, in the future, there will be no change. We will continue to co-operate with and assist all individuals or groups who are sincerely and honestly striving for practical and honorable solutions to the problems that confront our industry. Sptjras ShtPttt^tts Again J^ravidtKs M^€*ftfl^rsh ip The keen-eyed, white-haired film man, who sometimes searches for the proper English word to express his thought, and invariably finds it, had a perfect right to speak in such forthright and critical manner to theatremen. Not only was he a man with "happy memories of the days when I was an exhibitor," but he had proven time and again that he was the best friend exhibitors have in the ranks of film men. What Spyros Skouras told the Allied and TOA conventions can be expected to raise plenty of controversy. His appeal for some form of government subsidization, his pitch for a return to block booking, his condemnation of divorcement, his call for a compromise with toll TV — these and other of his recommendations are debatable and there are bound to be as many cons as pros on them. But Mr. Skouras' speeches to the two con\entions must be weighted in terms of their salutary impact on the theatre branch of our industry. Admittedly, it is a pitiable selfportrait exhibition has painted during recent years. It is a picture of a harried, disorganized industry, rushing hither and thither in frenetic attempts to sol\e the boxofiice dilemma, with background undertones of individuals, mired in the inertia of the "good old days," sitting back and waiting for an automatic upsurge in attendance to restore their prosperit)-. Whereas unit)' might ha^e produced a national business-building campaign, we have seen disunity negate this effort to revitalize public interest in m()\ ie-going. Whereas cohesi\e action might ha\e brought a solution to the product shortage that plagues theatre operators, the di\ergent policies of the national exhibitor groups produce only inaction, and the sellers' market continues. Whereas the combined voices of all theatremen might \ery well have headed off the sales of film libraries to television, the outcries were ineffectual and old movies on TV are keeping millions of people away from theatres. These are only a few of the pertinent points Spyros Skouras made in his talks to the conventions. The overriding \ alue of what he said is contained in his urging that they rc-excw/iiie the policies the}' are following. Too much, far too much, is wrong with the business for anyone to deny that e\'en the most basic concepts of the industry's business procedures might be altered for the best. The time is growing short for exhibitors to put aside their differences, real or imagined, to make an agonizing reappraisal of their position, and get together to seek solutions to their problems. By sparking their inherent instinct to plan for survival, Spyros Skouras has again proven his right to be known as the friend of exhibition and the leader of the industry. Film BULLETIN October 27, 1958 Page 13