The Exhibitor (1954)

MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR 5 Allied Approves Industry Regulation To Press Congress For Passage Unless Alleged Abuses Cease; Distributors Scored Milwaukee; — National Allied, meeting last week at its silver anniversary con¬ vention, voted approval of a bill calling for regulation of interstate commerce in motion pictures by the Federal Trade Commission. This capped recent Allied efforts to end sales practices held objec¬ tionable. The resolution requests the Allied board to seek to have the bill introduced into the next Congress and passed unless dur¬ ing the three months between now and when Congress reconvenes the board con¬ cludes that industry conditions have im¬ proved to a point “as to make resort to legislation unnecessary.” Delegates to the convention pledged that if the board concludes that theatres, particularly small town and subsequent run houses, can be saved only through government regulation, all Allied members will strive for the bill’s passage. The resolution also commended the Allied board “for dealing with the emer¬ gency so promptly and forthrightly,” and also praised the group’s special film com¬ mittee which conferred with distributor sales heads in the hope of winning modi¬ fications of current distributor policies. A few members voted against the resolution. Leading the battle for its passage were Trueman Rembusch, Jack Farr, Horace Adams, and Ben Berger. Addressing the conventioneers was Senator Alexander Wiley, Wisconsin Re¬ publican, who helped in the fight to cut the admission tax. He was introduced by President Ben Marcus. Wiley paid tribute to the film industry as a real force in world affairs. Results of the film clinics revealed the feelings of Allied members concerning alleged distribution abuses. Sig Goldberg, Wisconsin Allied president, presented the report in his capacity as clinic coordinator, and described as the “three biggest offend¬ ers” from the ranks of distribution were Columbia, Warners, and Paramount. Columbia took the worst rap from Allied as some members urged that the com¬ pany’s product not be booked. The gen¬ eral conclusion reached by the clinics, which Goldberg described as the most successful ever, was that “the majority cf distributors are not giving the proper consideration to terms, adjustments, and clearance.” Columbia was scored with insisting upon “oppressive deals,” with Warners said to be “extremely difficult to make deals with and almost impossible to get adjustments from.” Paramount was charged with re¬ vealing “utter disregard” for the problems of all exhibitors, especially the small ones. The report stated that complaints had been voiced as to a lack of communica¬ tion between 20th-Fox territory offices and the New York office. It was said that very few small houses can afford to install CinemaScope. The report added, however, that “Fox seems to be working out avail¬ abilities better than other companies.” MGM was praised as being the fairest company and was found “generally able to make equitable deals,” although some complaints were reported that clearances were being disrupted by what was called “the no print gag.” As for U-I, it was said that the company “seems to show less adherence to a national policy.” Resolutions were passed honoring pastpresidents Colonel H. A. Cole, Abram F. Myers, and Sidney Samuelson, and the convention closed with the silver anni¬ versary banquet, at which Esther Williams made a guest appearance. Allied Board Plans Equipment Distribution Milwaukee — Prior to the opening of the National Allied silver anniversary con¬ vention last week, the board discussed plans for the exhibitor group’s entrance into the field of distributing low priced theatre equipment and supplies. Ben Marcus, president, stated that if a deal with manufacturers is concluded, Allied’s name would be used as a brand and prices will be lower than competing items since distribution will be by Allied regional units operating on “almost a cooperative basis.” He added that equip¬ ment would be available to all exhibitors, whether Allied members or not, on the same price basis. It was reported that all units had en¬ dorsed the “declaration of emergency” calling for Federal Trade Commission regulation. The board also reaffirmed backing of the Makelim Plan, Distributors Corporation of America, and other new sources of product. Next year’s national convention is scheduled for the Sherman Hotel, Chicago. The board also voted to renew Allied’s membership in COMPO for another year. t N D l t Volume 52, Number 25 October 20, 1951 Section One Editorial 3 Feature Article — “A Star Is Reborn From Coast To Coast” . 10,11 The International Scene 14 This Was The Week When 16 About People 18 In The Newsreels 23 Better Management 24 Section Two The Servisection SS-1 — SS-8 Feature Reviews: “The Sleeping Tiger" (Astor); “The Detective” (Columbia); “They Rode West” (Columbia) ; “Aida” (I.F.E.) ; “Bread, Love And Dreams” (I.F.E.) ; “The Unholy Four” (Lippert) ; “Beau Brummell” (MGM); “Reap The Wild Wind” (Paramount) ; “Passion” (RKO) ; “The She Wolf” (Republic) ; “The Adventures Of Hajji Baba” (20th-Fox) ; “Carmen Jones” (20th-Fox) ; “Dancing With Crime” (Screencraft) ; “Lovers, Happy Lovers” (A.F.E.) Product, Weather Aid B'way Grosses New York — Good pictures and cooler weather were bringing out the crowds, and the Broadway first-runs all were doing much better business. The terrific bally on the simultaneous openings of Warners’ “A Star Is Born,” Paramount and Victoria, also helped. According to usually reliable sources reaching Motion Picture Exhibitor, the breakdown was as follows: “A STAR IS BORN” (Warners). Para¬ mount was heading toward a $115,000 opening week. “A STAR IS BORN” (Warners). Vic¬ toria, playing this day-and-date with the Paramount, expected the opening week to hit $46,000. “WOMAN’S WORLD” (20th-Fox). Roxy garnered $26,339 for Tuesday through Sun¬ day, with third week anticipated at $29,500. “WHITE CHRISTMAS” (Paramount). Radio City Music Hall, with stage show, opened to $108,000 for Thursday through Sunday with this first VistaVision produc¬ tion, and estimated that the first week would be between $168,000 to $170,000. “SABRINA” (Paramount). Criterion anticipated the fourth week at $35,000. “REAR WINDOW” (Paramount). Rivoli was sure of $19,000 on the 11th week. “ADVENTURES OF HAJJI BABA” (20th-Fox). Globe dropped to $9,000 on the second week. “SUDDENLY” (UA). Mayfair was sure of $30,000 on the second session. “ON THE WATERFRONT” (Columbia). Astor reported $25,000 for the 12th week. “THE BLACK SHIELD OF FALWORTH” (U-I). Loew’s State announced $12,500 for the second, and last, week. “BAREFOOT CONTESSA” (UA). Capi¬ tol garnered $38,150 for the first four days of the third week, with this period sure to hit $51,000. Marcus told the convention that Inde¬ pendent Theatre Owners of New York and the Southern California Theatre Owners Association had advised Allied that they are in sympathy with the cam¬ paign against allegedly unfair film terms and the shortage of product. Marcus added, however, that neither Harry Brandt, ITOA, or Harry Arthur, SCTOA, men¬ tioned the Allied federal regulation plan. According to the Allied president, “If the distributors came up with alternatives to the arduous film terms they are now asking which offered the exhibitors an opportunity to make a reasonable profit, there would be no need to go to the gov¬ ernment for help.” He also said that Allied would back arbitration if it would include sales policies or film terms. Highlight of the opening day was the keynote address of Abram F. Myers, gen¬ eral counsel, who discussed the possible ramifications of industry regulation by the government and added that the most im¬ portant problem facing exhibitors is the shortage of product, severely limiting the bargaining power of theatres. He stressed that the board was not committed to gov¬ ernment control but drafted the bill to find out what the gathering thought con¬ cerning the matter. Myers discounted ( Continued on paye 18) October 20, 1954