The Exhibitor (1954)

NEEDED-A NEW CODE OF ETHICS “Let’s talk things over and reach our decisions as honest and honorable businessmen, and we can have no fears if we have no intent to do wrong.” This is an ex¬ cerpt from Motion Picture Exhibitor’s editorial, “A Place for Lawyers — and Every Lawyer in His Place,” Dec. 15. In the absence of fear, man has accomplished much; in talking out his problems rather than litigating them he has learned much — perhaps the most important thing being the point of view of the other fellow, his prob¬ lems, his desires, his needs. There are encouraging signs that our industry is ap¬ proaching this happy situation: an effective arbitration program no longer seems so far in the future as it did a year ago; A1 Lichtman, 20th-Fox director of distribu¬ tion, among others who suggested that all branches of the industry get together to talk out their problems in top level meetings, found his proposal greeted enthu¬ siastically on all sides. Commenting on the above mentioned editorial, Licht¬ man said: “7 believe that we should hammer home the thought so well expressed in your article. There are some con¬ structive lawyers in our business, who think the same as you and I, and they can help us to come to the right decisions. But first and foremost, let the businessmen get together, place their cards, face up, on top of the i round table without reservation. If we do this I am ^ certain that we can write a code of ethics for this busi¬ ness that can be a pattern not only for our industry in years to come, but a code of ethics that can be a guidepost for all other industries. We have the brains to do it, and I am sure we tvill have the tvill to carry it out.” Needed, a code of ethics! The words have a familiar ring. The industry found establishment of such a code necessary before, and, with the threat of government censorship spurring their efforts, a Production Code evolved, a system of self-regulation that made motion pictures the most widely accepted form of family enter¬ tainment on earth. The threat we face today is as great and possibly more dangerous. If some intra-industry code of ethics is not worked out, outside forces will push for the power to control and regulate motion picture affairs. Ours is an industry that has grown in world importance to such a point where to think otherwise is fantasy. Morris Wolf, well-known industry attorney, also com¬ menting upon our editorial in an address before the Philadelphia Variety Club this week, said, “ ... in the early days lawyers played a much less conspicuous and a much healthier and happier part in the industry than they do in these days.” He stated that the editorial “makes mighty good sense to me. It does not seem reasonable that when different groups in the industry depend on each other for a living, they should spend most of their time and money trying I o destroy each other. I am for peaceful coexistence, and 1 want to say as a lawyer that I felt a lot better about it when my time was used in making agreements to build up the industry than I have since so much of it is spent on the destructive court battles of the last few years.” ; At no time did we intend to belittle the important contribution of the industry lawyer. In this ever expanding and more complex business, his contribution promises to become even more vital. His duties, how¬ ever, fall into the legal realm. Let production, distribution, and exhibition accept their shares of the business and ethical responsibilities involved in industry operations. Jay Emanuel A JAY EMANUEL PUBLICATION. Founded in 1918. Published weekly by Jay Emanuel Publications, Incorporated. Publishina office: 246-248 North Clarion Street, Philadelphia 7, Pennsylvania. New York: 229 West 42nd Street, New York 36. West Coast: Paul Manning, 9628 Cresta Drive, Los Angeles 35, California. Jay Emanuel, publisher; Paul J. Greenhaigh, general manager; Herbert M. Miller, editor; A. J. Martin, advertising manager; Max Cades, business manager; George Nonamaker, Mel Konecoff, Al Erlick, associate editors. Subscriptions: Any one of six sectional editions (NEW ENGLAND, NEW YORK STATE, PHILADELPHIA-WASHINGTON, SOUTHERN, MIDEAST, or MIDWEST-WESTERN) and the INTERNATIONAL edition; $2 per year (52 issues); and outside of the United States, Canada, end Pan-American countries, $5 per year (52 issues); The GENERAL edition containing all local news forms from all editions: $7.50 per year (52 issues) and outside of the United States, Canada, and Pan-American countries, $15 per year (52 issues). Special rates for two and three years on application. Entered as second class matter at the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, post office. Address letters to 246-48 North Clarion Street, Philadelphia 7, Pennsylvania.