We use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) during our scanning and processing workflow to make the content of each page searchable. You can view the automatically generated text below as well as copy and paste individual pieces of text to quote in your own work.
Text recognition is never 100% accurate. Many parts of the scanned page may not be reflected in the OCR text output, including: images, page layout, certain fonts or handwriting.
Actors Equity Association labor union — motion picture industry
Labor Organization — Unsuccessful Attempt to Unionize Motion Picture Players. In 1929, as a result of the large number of stage actors appearing in sound motion pictures, the theatrical labor union, in an attempt to bring motion picture production under its jurisdiction, instructed its members to accept parts in pictures only under the terms of the union's contract and only in casts in which all the players were members of the union. After a period of unsuccessful efforts to bring about complete cooperation of the leading members of the union, during which the producers adopted an attitude of passive resistance to the demands of the association, the attempt to unionize motion picture players was temporarily abandoned, and the union rescinded its edict barring the appearance of its members under other than union contracts and in other than union casts.
(1929)
On June 5, 1929, in Hollywood, California, the Actors Equity Association, the recognized theatrical labor union, announced its intent to bring under its jurisdiction the production of motion pictures. Effective as of that date, the association instructed its members to take part in the production of sound pictures only under the terms of the Equity Contract, a contract form which it had issued to take the place of the Standard Form Artists Contract, then in use by most producers. The association further directed its members to accept parts only in casts in which all the players were Equity members. The Association of Motion Picture Producers, an organization which included all companies with studios on the West Coast, refused to recognize Equity. At the end of over 11 weeks of controversy, Equity leaders announced that they were temporarily abandoning the struggle. Five months later, in January, 1930, there was no indication of renewed activities on the part of the union and the consensus of opinion was that the 1929 attempt to introduce Equity contracts into the motion picture field had been definitely unsuccessful.
Prior to 1929, the activities of the Actors Equity Association had been confined to the legitimate stage and to vaudeville, in which fields it had gained national recognition. The proposed