Motion Picture Herald (Jul-Aug 1944)

TWO NEW EXHIBITOR UNITS Oh COAST COMPETE WITH ITO First Runs Unite in Theatre Council; Law Forms New Independent Group Hollywood Bureau Two years and 8 months after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor jerked Pacific-exposed Los Angeles' exhibitor groups into taut unity as constituents of the war-born, municipallyfostered Theatre Defense Bureau, showmen in the Southern California metropolis have formed two new exhibitor organizations pledging continued fidelity to the now skeletonized Bureau, but declaring dedication to matters having to do with private enterprise as well as public interest. On July 11, Albert J. Law, attorney, announced the formation of the Southern California Theatre Owners Association as an organization representing independents and circuit operators in an endeavor "to deal with problems common to all exhibitors and provide a medium through which the views of all, large and small, can be properly expressed." On July 25 Tom Baily announced formation of the California Theatre Council as "a chamber of commerce of theatres, a clearing house for information, ideas and ideals of the industry." California ITO Forbids Its Members to Join New Units The Independent Theatre Owners of Southern California and Arizona, affiliate of the Pacific Coast Conference of Independent Theatre Owners, Tuesday approved a resolution noting the formation of the two new groups and pledging cooperation in general matters affecting all theatres, but the phrasing of the resolution was tantamount to refusing its members permission to join either of the new units. Unlike the Southern California Theatre Owners Association, the California Theatre Council makes no bid for independent membership but sets itself up as an organization of first run managements devoted primarily to matters affecting first run operation. It is, in point of fact, a formal integration of first run operators who have been in continuous informal cooperation on points of policy and procedure for some five years, and it includes managements of other types of entertainment in its membership. The roster announced by Mr. Baily, a director of the Theatre Defense Bureau and assistant coordinator of the War Activities Committee, Western Division, reads: L. E. Behymer, Philharmonic Auditorium; Louis J. Halper, Warner Brothers Theatres ; Nat Holt, RKO circuit; Rodney A. Pantages, Hollywood Pantages Corp. ; Charles F. Prickett, Pasadena Playhouse; and Marcus Wolff, Fanchon & Marco and Paramount Theatres. Ranking First Run Operations In Theatre Council Setup The Council's membership includes representatives of all the ranking first run managements in Los Angeles with the exception of Fox West Coast Theatres, largest operator in the area, and Sutton & Galston, smallest. The former is included in the Southern California Theatre Owners Association membership and TOM BAILY the latter is a member of the ITO of Southern California and Arizona. Explaining the constituency of the new association last week, Mr. Law, its organizer and executive director, said its directorate of six members, three of them representing circuits and three representing independents, consisted of George Bowser, Fox West Coast; Mike Rosenberg, FWC partner; Gus Metzger, B. Leavitt and Ned Calvi, independents ; and a sixth member, representing a circuit first run management, yet to be named. The executive directorship carries obligation to cast the deciding vote in the event of a tie. Mr. Baily described the council's program in this language: "We of the theatre industry recognize the necessity of presenting a united front and in aiding War Bond, charity and other patriotic enterprises. In these phases of our operation, we intend to cooperate with any other theatre groups with similar ideals, and to act as one in furthering the successful prosecution of the war. Our purposes are manifold, among them being to study and keep abreast of post-war matters, to act as liaison between city, county, state and Federal agencies ; to build a better understanding between theatres and the public, press and public officials, and to assist deserving civic and national charities, educational and patriotic activities." Council Opens Offices And Plans Election Election of council officers is scheduled for this week. Meanwhile the organization has opened offices in the Pantages Theatre Building, Hollywood. Likewise scheduled for this week is a meeting of the Theatre Owners Association board of directors, at which time action is to be taken in respect to a budget to finance operations, inclusive of the opening of offices, tentatively planned for location in the Gore Building on Los Angeles' Film Row. Mr. Law described that organization's objectives as embracing the taking of suitable action with respect to local taxation (a problem recurring frequently in the Southern California area), local and state legislation deemed ALBERT J. LAW unfavorable to exhibition interests, and matters affecting alike the operational pro dures of independents and circuits. Mr. Law's experience in the field of moti pictures dates from 1927 when, as Special / sistant to the U. S. Attorney General, he beg preparation of the case brought against the dustry's major companies under the Sherm Anti-Trust Act in 1930. A member of 1 Attorney General's staff for 15 years, Mr. L came to Hollywood in • that capacity in 19 and has conducted a law practice in Los geles since, appearing intermittently in news of local exhibition as counsel for vario independents bringing action against F West Coast and other organizations for alle violation of Consent Decree and other regu tions. These cases have followed vari courses, some of them settled out of court. Withdrew Financial Support From Defense Bureau The advent of the two new exhibitor ganizations follows by some nine months t withdrawal by Fox West Coast of its financ support from the Theatre Defense Bureau, which it contributed in common with of theatre groups, on the ground that the lifti of the blackout maintained since the start the war had removed the principal reason the Bureau's operation. Other circuits a independents, declining to share this vie have continued to maintain the Bureau, though on a somewhat less extensive scale. The Bureau, which thrived under exhibiti wide cooperation and became the pattern af which similar organizations across the count was modeled, came into being on the day af' the Japs attacked Pearl Harbor. As Charl P. Skouras, Fox West Coast president, te the story, he was among the first business m of the community to go to Mayor Fletc" Bowron and ask what he and his theat could do to aid in the then threatening erne ency, which included a likelihood, not disp aged but underwritten by available advi from Washington, that Pacific Coast citi especially Los Angeles, would be bombed any moment. MOTION PICTURE HERALD, AUGUST 5, \4