International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1954)

IN THE SPOTLIGHT FINALLY and conclusively the motion picture business has come home — technologically speaking. So long ignored, the very existence of the motion picture business today depends upon the ultimate delivery of the finished product into which has been poured the creative talents of the writer, the producer, the cameraman and his technical associates on the set. Now, then, comes the financially fateful moment — the final delivery of the finished product to the public which picks up the tab for all the manifold activities of the industry. Simply expressed, this means the boxoffice. Time was when the executive studio personnel in Hollywood, while quite aware of the results of the fourth race at Santa Anita, were utterly unaware of what was happening to their product in those outlets, large or small, Broadway or the crossroads, which exercised a profound influence upon their very existence. In effect, they are not confronted with the, to them, dismal spectre of coping with that factor which had never even occurred to them previously — technology. Now begins the hustle and bustle. Now the grim necessity for facing reality. What is this strange factor, previously ignored, which threatens their empirical status? It is the, to them, depressing but vital necessity for translating at the box-office their so-called "art" into dollars which will ensure their economic survival. If there be any element of executive sanity left in this industry, wiih particular reference to production and exhibition standards, when will it be exercised ? • Wilfred H. Spicer, member of Local 300, Saskatoon, Canada, makes some very interesting comments in this month's "Letters to the Editor" department about the early days of motion picture exhibition. Spicer is one of the real old-timers in the craft. He started "cranking" machines back in 1908 and spent many years trouping all over the United States and Canada showing pictures in Kinemacolor — the first colored movies shown. • The 42nd Convention of the lATSE will be held in the Music Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio, during the week beginning August 9 next. Convention headquarters will be at the Netherlands Plaza Hotel. • Albert S. Johnstone, president of New Orleans Local 293, was appointed 7th lA vice-president, and William How To Kill A Union 1. DON'T attend meetings. 2. If you do attend, arrive LATE. 3. If the weather isn't pleasant, stay HOME. 4. DON'T accept any office — it's easier to CRITICIZE. 5. NEVER approve anything your Officers of Committees do. 6. DON'T pay your dues until you have to. 7. INSIST upon official notices being sent to you, then DON'T pay any attention to them. 8. DON'T waste any courtesy at a meeting, it's up to your officers to take it. 9. When you DON'T like what's going on, say so, but under no circumstances oifer any constructive suggestions. 10. Devote most of your time TALKING; let someone else do the work. 11. Look for hidden motives; DON'T credit Brother Members with any ideals. 12. DON'T co-operate with any Officer of Committees, make them co-operate with you. 13. Remember YOU know more than anyone else about everything. If THEY don't agree with you, THEY ARE WRONG. Labor News, Worcester, Mass. Donnelly, business representative of Minneapolis Local 13, was named 8th lA vice-president, to fill the two vacancies caused by the deaths of vicepresidents Roger M. Kennedy, Detroit, and Felix D. Snow, Kansas City. The appointments were made by the I A General Executive Board at its recent semi-annual meeting. • The New York State Association of Motion Picture Projectionists will hold its 1954 Spring meeting on Monday, May 10 at the Moose Club, Hornell, N. Y. At the close of the Association's business sessions, Hornell Local 676 will celebrate its 25th anniversary at a dinner-dance in the ballroom of the Club, to which all the delegates and their guests are invited. • Minneapolis Local 219 reached a compromise settlement with subsequent-run houses on the issue of pay for preparatory time in the showing of CinemaScope features. The projectionists will be paid for 30 minutes preparatory time, the same as in the first-run houses. Originally the Local had asked for 45 minutes extra time, thus the settlement appears to have been very advantageous for the Local. • Walter E. Bryner, charter member of Local 323, Springfield, 111., was presented with a gold life membership card at the Local's recent 40th anniversary celebration. • Local 434, Peoria-Pekin, 111., was awarded a judgment of $785 in its suit against Harry C. Runyan, operator of the Luce Theatre in East Peoria. The judgment covers a promissory note held by the Local for $750, plus interest. • Hartford Local 84 sponsored a twohour vaudeville revue, headed by Jan Murray, radio and Tv star, the proceeds of which went into its welfare fund. Charles Obert, president of the Local, and Rube Lewis, business representative, were co-chairmen in charge of the affair. • The officials of Local 287, Beaver Falls, Penna., are negotiating with drive-in theatre owners for a new contract which includes a provision for pay for 15 minutes preparatory time for the projectionists. • Local 646, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., has set up a nightly picket line in front of the Fox Drive-In Theatre in nearby 20 INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST • APRIL 1954