Motion Picture Herald (May-Jun 1946)

Spyros Skouras William F. Rodgers Jack KJrscft Abram F. Myers Van A. Nomlkos Photos by LawrencePhillip ALLIED AND CIEA DECLARE WAR ON ATA AT CHICAGO by WILLIAM G. FORM BY THE INDUSTRY in the field churned this week as the politics of exhibition reached a new high for activity. Contributing importantly to the agitation were these developments : 1. The declaration of war upon the American Theatres Association by Allied States Association of Motion Picture Exhibitors and the Conference of Independent Exhibitors in convention in Chicago the final three days of last week. 2. The continuation of ATA with its program of organization, despite condemnation by independent exhibitors at the Chicago meeting. 3. Implementation of the Allied-CIEA plans to solicit the affiliation of exhibitor associations not now identified with it, regardless of their present national status. 4. The bid of the Independent Theatre Owners Association of New York for support from independent and unaffiliated associations for a new national independent association to deal solely with trade practices. The opening of formal hostilties came last Thursday at the Palmer House in Chicago, when the CIEA adopted a double-headed resolution which brought opposition of the Allied camp out into the open. There was no euphemism this time. The Allied-sponsored Conference voted to denounce ATA as representative of and spokesman for independent exhibitors who had not designated it as such. It voted to resist the formation of ATA units in territories already containing Allied units ; to organize new local independent associations where ATA groups were set up outside of Allied territory. "We repudiate all organizations and individuals who presume to speak for or represent the independent exhibitors without their authority or consent," the resolution stated. It was explained by Abram F. Myers, chairman and general counsel of Allied, by Jesse (Continued on opposite page, column 1) Industry-Wide Dinner Inducts Kirsch As Allied President Jack Kirsch, recently elected president of the Allied Association of Motion Picture Exhibitors, stood Saturday night before some 1,000 people in the gold and ivory of the Palmer House's Grand Ballroom in Chicago and received the oath of office at a testimonial inaugural dinner sponsored by his association. Surrounding Mr. Kirsch, who also is president of Allied Theatres of Illinois, were many of the industry's great in distribution and production, and exhibitor leaders from all parts of the nation. Present as principal speaker was Spyros Skouras, president of 20th Century-Fox. Also delivering addresses were William F. Rodgers, vice-president of distribution for Loew's, and Abram F. Myers, chairman of the board of Allied. George Jessel, producer for 20th-Fox, was toastmaster. Yvonne de Carlo, Universal, and Carole Landis, were others from the studios. Pledging his active leadership of the association, Mr. Kirsch denied that Allied's "insistence on the maintenance of a separate organization for independent exhibitors reflected a non-cooperative attitude." He pointed the national policy toward matters "dealing with the every day operation of theatres." The trend toward Allied expansion was indicated in Mr. Kirsch's statement that he intended, "as far as conditions permit, to bring Allied and its work home to the independent exhibitors." He said that independent exhibitors may have "become confused by recent developments and are being beckoned by many hands to follow strange leaders." Referring to the Caravan, an agency for the exchange of information on rental details, Mr. Kirsch said Allied "extends a cordial invitation to all independent exhibitors of good will to join in these undertakings. "No organization should presume to speak for the independent exhibitors in reference to film prices, trade practices or industry readjustments made necessary by law," he said, "if to do so would put its leaders in a false position due to their affiliation with the published resolutions of the national board." Van A. Nomikos, Chicago, was general chairman of the dinner. The oath of office was given by M. A. Rosenberg, Allied president in 1942-43. Among others seated at the dais were: W. A. Stefifes, Wm. Heineman, Walter E. Branson, Thomas J. Connors, E. T. (Peck) Gomersall, Chas. M. Reagan, James R. Grainger, Senator Richard J. Daley. J. P. Adler, Wm. Ainsworth, Benj. Berger, Ray Branch, Col. H. A. Cole, James Donahue, Wm. W. Downey, Morris M. Finkel, J. E. Flynn. Wm. G. Formby, W. C. Gehring, James Gregory, Nate Gross, Roy Haines, Dale Harrison, P. S. Harrison, Irv. Kupcinet, Meyer Leventhal. Harry H. Lowenstein, L. O. Lukan, A. J. O'Keefe, Dave Palfreyman, Robert H. Poole, Trueman Rembusch, Arthur Sachson, Sidney E. Samuelson, Louis Schainmark. Arthur Schoenstadt, A. W. Schwalberg, Sam Shain, Martin G. Smith, Jesse Stern, Leo F. Wolcott, Nathan Yamins. 12 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, JUNE I, 1946