Harrison's Reports (1950)

148 HARRISON'S REPORTS September 16, 1950 right to discuss product and prices at their conventions as the distributors have to consider those subjects at their sales meetings. "If there ever was a time for exhibitors to take stock of their situation, filmwise and otherwise, it is now. In recognition of this the Convention Committee has approved the following name for the gathering: ALLIED'S 1950 NATIONAL CONVENTION AND FILM CLINIC. That the exhibitors are seeking solution of their problems is indicated by the fact that advance reservations for the Pittsburgh Convention are running ahead of the advance reservations for the record-breaking convention held in Minneapolis last year." Stating that "there is no problem too big or too difficult for an Allied convention to tackle, if to do so is in the interest of the independent exhibitors," Mr. Myers said that exhibitors who come to Pittsburgh this year will be doing themselves a favor. "Leaders from other branches of the industry will bring their messages to Pittsburgh," he added, "but as is always the case at Allied gatherings, there will be ample opportunity for the exhibitors to discuss matters of special interest to themselves in their own way." Among the sales managers who have already promised to attend the convention are William F. Rodgers, of MGM, Andy W. Smith, Jr., of 20th CenturyFox, and Al Schwalberg, of Paramount. MORE ABOUT ALLIED'S NATIONAL FILM CLINIC In connection with the National Film Clinic to be held in conjunction with the National Allied Convention in Pittsburgh on October 2, 3 and 4, Trueman T. Rembusch, Allied president, has appointed the following Allied leaders as chairmen of the forums that will be held for the different types of theatres: Col. H. A. Cole and Charles Niles, small towns; Sidney Samuelson and Arthur Rush, medium towns and suburban runs; Nathan Yamins and O. F. Sullivan, city runs. Martin Smith and Wilbur Snaper, key neighborhoods and subsequent runs; and John Wolfberg and Rube Shor, drive-ins. A special meeting will be conducted by Jack Kirsch and Abe Berenson for circuit buyers, including combines, as well as for those who are interested in bidding situations. All the meetings will be held in separate rooms so that film buyers in like situations will be able to discuss mutual problems. Pointing out that the increase in film rentals by the various distributors has been a main topic of discussion at all the regional conventions held by the Allied units this year, Mr. Rembusch stated that there is no doubt in his mind that there is a concerted effort to raise film rentals on a nation-wide basis at a time when they (the distributors) should be thinking of keeping their customers in business. "The convention committee,11 said Rembusch, "has developed this National Film Clinic as a school of instruction for film buyers. Last year we celebrated the Allied Victory Convention, at the conclusion of a long eleven-year fight to bring about the many reforms of the Supreme Court decision. Now we are going to see that the independent exhibitors realize the benefits of the decision. The only way any exhibitor can gain all the benefits of the decision is to be thoroughly informed of his rights. Those rights will be the subject matter of the National Film Clinic." Rembusch announced also that Arthur Mayer, executive vice-president of the Council of Motion Picture Organizations, has accepted an invitation to speak at the Allied convention, at which time he will outline to the exhibitors present the full scope of COMPOs activtities. From all indications, the Allied Convention in Pittsburgh promises plenty of fireworks, particularly in regard to the boost on film rentals. One who is sure to spark the fireworks is Bennie Berger, president of North Central Allied, who has announced that he will bring to the convention floor figures showing that the distributors are collecting approximately 200% more in film rentals from independent neighborhood and suburban exhibitors in Minneapolis and St. Paul than they did before the consent decree. Berger, as quoted in weekly Variety, said: "Northwest Allied directors have protested to the distributors, but nothing has come of it. Distributors persist in their gouging policy although theatre grosses are declining and costs are generally increasing, with film companies1 earnings greater than ever." No doubt the other Allied leaders, too, will come to the convention prepared to offer evidence that will support the outcry lately against the distributors' rental demands and terms. Just how the convention will work out a solution to this problem should be interesting. DOUBTFUL IF NEW CREDIT CONTROLS WILL AFFECT TV SET SALES Acting under the new Economic Control Bill signed by President Truman last week, the Federal Reserve Board has clamped tight controls on installment purchases of new and used television sets. Effective September 18, purchasers of television sets will have to make a down payment of 15% and will have to pay the balance in 18 months. Although some of the trade papers, in reporting this item, described it as a serious setback for the television industry, Harrison's Reports is of the opinion that the new installment credit controls will not effectively curb purchases of television sets, for the new terms are not much stiffcr than those currently in use. At the most, it means an additional five per cent on the down payment and a little less time to pay the balance, all of which probably will mean very little to those who have their hearts set on buying a television set, what with higher wages and more take-home-pay in the offing as a result of the many billions of dollars that will be spent in the defense effort. Unless either the credit controls are made much more stiff er, or production of TV sets is restricted because of allocations of critical materials to meet defense requirements, the sale of television receiving sets will undoubtedly continue at a record-breaking pace.