Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1944)

Exhibitor Unity First Is Urged By Kuykendall Concentration on a program to achieve unity among exhibitors as perhaps a prelude to a greater degree of amity between theatre showmen and distributors was suggested last week by E. L. Kuykendall, president of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America, in a bulletin to members. Mr. Kuykendall admitted that "unity with the producers and distributors doesn't seem to work out very well." He observed that "maybe it isn't in the cards. Too much conflict of interests, too much self-interest, in Hollywood and New York, too much wrangling and fighting over film prices and terms." Although he said that his organization had supported the movement ever since it was initiated, Mr. Kuykendall said he had arrived at the conclusion that "maybe such unity is unrealistic and too much to be hoped for." Suggesting an alternative to the continuing unsuccessful attempts to formalize a standard for exhibitor-distributor relations, Mr. Kuykendall said : "Suppose we start off with an attempt to secure unity among exhibitors, among theatre owners and operators who have identical interests to protect and defend in so many ways, and who' are all benefited whenever an organized effort succeeds in beating down excessive taxes or stopping some unfair competitive practice. Unity among exhibitors may be quite possible to achieve and would be essential to any industry unity." Foundation in Local Units The foundation for such unity Mr. Kuykendall described as the local trade association of theatre owners. He charged "weakness and futility" to individual exhibitors who fail or neglect to take an interest in their organization's activities. This question he put to them : "Until all exhibitors, big and little, circuit and individual, first run and subsequent run, affiliated partly affiliated and independent^ can get some unity into their own trade associations, what chance is there to get it throughout the industry?" He termed the MPTOA organization structure "the only practical and workable organization plan ever devised" for unity among exhibitors. He promised revitalization and expansion of state and regional exhibitor associations after the war. Pointing out that the "unexpected prolongation" of the war in Europe had frozen the Federal tax situation, Mr. Kuykendall urged attention to the industry's stake in any revamping of tax plans. The tax situation in states and cities was the immediate concern of exhibitors, he declared. He said that situation was not frozen by the war, and concluded : "Returning veterans' needs, on the contrary, cause an ominous threat of city and state taxes on theatre admissions. Here is where the immediate problem of unfair taxes on admissions and on theatres will have to be faced by exhibitors in the immediate and predictable future." Tribute to Variety Clubs Mr. Kuykendall paid tribute to the National Variety Clubs of America, thus : "The Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America wants to pay its respects to the clubs on the occasion of the ninth annual meeting in Washington. No organization in show business has done more to spread good will, and to build_ up public opinion for the motion picture and the theatres by fine charity work in the locality. "As a permanent, all-industry charity organization to carry on cooperation with worthy welfare and charity drives after our war activities terminate, we suggest for your consideration the Variety Clubs of America. They have done a marvelous job already and can do a much bigger one." Harris Joins Reade Jack Harris, who has been associated with Skouras Theatres, New York, for the past eight years, will join the Walter Reade circuit November 27 as chief film buyer and executive assistant. Service Awards Given in "Dr. Wassell" Campaign Loew's New York metropolitan circuit is registering top grosses and extended playing time on Cecil B. DeMille's "The Story of Dr. Wassel," following a campaign covering all 63 houses, Charles M. Reagan, Paramount vice-president in charge of distribution, said this week. In all Loew's 14 "de luxe" theatres, the Technicolor film played seven days instead of the customary five. Beginning November 2, the booking extended through Thanksgiving, with the last group dated December 10. The campaign was featured bv the presentation of ^meritorious service awards given by Mr. DeMille to Navy Mothers Clubs of America. Presentations were made by ranking Navy officers to chapters in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, White Plains, Mt. Vernon, Yonkers and New Rochelle. Commander Wassell came east and presented the awards in ceremonies at the Valencia and Paradise theatres. The campaign was executed by Edward Dowden of Leow's and his staff, including Jay Burton, Sam Coolick and Sid Kain, in cooperation with Paramount's advertising publicity and exploitation department, Kuykendall Fears Problems From Decree Litigation The fear that new problems might be created by the Consent Decree litigation was voiced last week by E. L. Kuykendall, president of the Motion Picture Theater Owners of America. Said Mr. Kuykendall : "The fourth anniversary of the New York Consent Decree is on November 20. It has been a destructive, futile experiment, has accomplished nothing of any value to exhibitors, has increased tremendously film prices, distribution costs and production expense without producing any noticeable increase in ciuality of product. "Now we are faced with years of destructive and futile litigation in this anti-trust suit with faint hope that any important exhibitor problem will ever be solved by such a law suit, though quite likely new and serious problems not previously encountered will be created by such lengthy litigation." 20th-Fox Mid-season Meeting Calls Full Field Force The mid-season sales conferences of 20th Century-Fox will be held December 4-6, inclusive, at the Astor Hotel in New York under the personal direction of Tom Connors, vice-president in charge of sales. The meetings will be handled by W. C. Gehring, western sales manager ; A. W. Smith, Jr., eastern sales manager, and L. J. Schlaifer, central sales manager. Attending from the field will be division, district and branch managers from all American and Canadian exchanges. The home office contingent will include Spyros Skouras W. C. Michel, Hal Home, Charles Schlaifer, Martin Moskowitz, W. J. Kupper, William J. Clark, Paul Terry and Harvey Day. Consulate Officials Attend Screenings of "Brazil" David Moretzohn, Brazilian consul in Philadelphia, and members of his staff recently attended a special screening of Republic's "Brazil," arranged in that city as advance promotion for the opening scheduled for Saturday night at the Warners' Stanton theatre. Those attending included : Mrs. Moretzohm, Vice-Consul and Mrs. Ruy V. Bandeira, Vice-Consul and Airs. Aldo de Freitas, Captain Ernesto Aranjo and Captain and Mrs. Mile Williams. Loew's Donates $75,000 To National War Fund A donation of $75,000 to the National War Fund was announced November 16 by David Bernstein, treasurer of Loew's, Inc. That sum will be divided among the War Fund committees in cities in which MGM exchanges are located and Loew's theatres so that local credits may be provided. Rodgers Calls foi United Action m Post' War Need I Praising the industry's unified performance dur ing wartime, William F. Rodgers, vice-presiden and general sales manager of Loew's, Inc., tol the_ trade last week that "unity of thought an action is the most important subject matter tha you should consider as a post-war objective." Mr. Rodgers, speaking at the MGM exhibito luncheon in Cincinnati, predicted that the post-wa period would present problems "that none of ii today can foresee." Urging a unified approacl he said : "I do not believe any well-thinking perso can discount the thought that together there is n problem too big in this industry that cannot b solved by sane reasoning by fair-minded people." Remembering the days of the United Motio Picture Industry and its ill-fated trade practic code, Mr. Rodgers declared : "I do not urge an agency — I do not advocate the dissolution of an trade organization, whether theatre owners others in the industry. I merely remind you, as tl whole world is being reminded today, that unit of thought and action is the most important sul ject matter that you should consider as a post-w;' objective." Cites War Cooperation Mr. Rodgers expressed the hope that the C( operation achieved within the industry during tl war could be carried over into better industi relations. "We who have served the whole civilizi world admirably in times of war and peace ca and I hope we will, serve our individual interes ! just as well by working together. The whole ii| dustry has again been complimented by beii i called upon by the Government to assist in tl ! Sixth War Loan campaign. We, as you know, a privileged to serve and grateful for the opportuni to again demonstrate the possibility of unity ■ action in the service of our Government." Going into buyer-seller relations, he emphasizi his belief that cooperation between distributors ai exhibitors so that both could make a profit was necessity. "It must be obvious," he said, "to tho familiar with production costs that great produ cannot be consistently delivered at small cost, ai I do not believe that any thinking members your theatre fraternity want any curtailment quality product. The security of your investme depends on good pictures — the security of our i vestment depends on your support of good picture Once produced and ready for the market, our ai is to merchandise our product intelligently, with view of giving us the greatest returns consists with the fairness in the individual pricing of o product for a specific theatre, according to i ability to pay." Opposes Bracket Limits Mr. Rodgers reiterated his company's oppij tion to placing either a minimum or maximii number of pictures in a given bracket, stating t'l "a picture is deserving of what it can produce no more, no less." Seventeen of the home office and field executivi have been with the company for an average | 24 years, it was disclosed. The 17 and their year E. M. Saunders and Robert Lynch, 29 y<.:: each ; John E. Flynn, George A. Hickey, S; Shirley, Jack J. Bowen, 27 years ; Charles i Kessnich, 26 years; Mr. Rodgers, E. K. 0'Sh< William R. Ferguson, Charles F. Deesen, years; Joel Bezahler, 23 years; John J. Malon , 22 years; Maurice N. Wolf, Rudolph Berger, years ; Alan F. Cummings, 19 years ; John Byrne, Burtis Bishop, jr., Irving Helfont, years; Harold Postman, 17 years, and Leon? Hirsch, 14 years. , i Heywood-Wakefield Pays $2.50 A dividend of $2.50 was announced Wednesc by the Haywood-Wakefield Company on its co mon stock, payable December 9. There w three other quarterly payments of 50 cents shares this year, making the total $4. 32 MOTION PICTURE HERALD. NOVEMBER 25. I