Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1948)

ALLIED HITS ADS IN FILMS {Continued from page 13) the urging of John P. Adler of Wisconsin that far less murder and mystery films be made, and who objected that such titles as "Kiss the Blood Off My Hands" were too lurid; the positive position of M. K. McDaniel of Texas that cartoons overplay sex ; the conviction of an unrecorded exhibitor who complained because "love" gets into too many titles. These, and other opinions, to be gathered from the field by Allied units, will go to the Hollywood meetings in a roundup of viewpoints which the membership feels need attention. Discipline Plan Would Be Administered Under Code While not stipulated, Mr. Rembusch's presence in Hollywood, in all likelihood, will find him attempting to draw out producer reaction to the plan developed by Joseph P. Finneran, exhibitor of Franklin, Ind., Mr. Rembusch's partner and his brother-in-law. The proposal would amend the Production Code by adding a provision barring employment of any erring performer until he is acquitted by legal processes, in the event a crime is formally charged, or cleared by an industry agency, in the event an offense involves no formal charge. The PCA Code seal would be withheld from any film in which a player appeared who had gained notoriety prior to the production of the film. Minor offenses, without public involvement, would be punished by an industry agency empowered to apply sanctions such as suspensions or fines in the event culpability is proven. Future talent contracts would incorporate suitable provisions effectuating this general formula. In a parallel resolution, distributors seeking to capitalize on such incidents by reissuing films in which the misbehaving star appeared would -Jie reprimanded. Not all delegates were of the same mind. Charles Snyder of Michigan agreed with the need for summary action on sufficient proof, but suggested it could be managed simply if Allied members bound themselves not to play any of the films involved. He lost, but the Finneran Plan won with miles to spare. See Television Problem For Radio, Not Screen Recognizing that the novelty impact of television will leave its mark on exhibition, an 'extended forum on television, nevertheless, found Allied essentially undisturbed over the ultimate impress which the new medium will etch on the industry. Mr. Rembusch, operating two high-powered radio stations, WWNI at Wabash, Ind., and WCSI at Columbus, Ind., stated he regarded the problem as far more vital to radio broadcasting than to films. Stressing various facets of television al ready widely and earlier reported from various sections of the nation where TV stations now operate, other spokesmen united in the conclusion that motion pictures would emerge unshaken in their long-entrenched hold on the American public. Watchfulness, however, was emphasized for its precautionary value. It was not the time for election of officers here. That piece of business is scheduled for the annual board meeting in Washington, in late January. The spring meeting will be held in Dallas, in conjunction with the Allied of Texas convention, where a country-wide tribute to Colonel Harry A. Cole will crystallize. By board decision, Abram F. Myers, general counsel, and his charge made in Washington that court pressure had been exerted on Robert L. Wright of the Department of Justice to make concessions in the Government's anti-trust suit in order to accelerate its conclusion, were confirmed. Approve Proposal for Special Trust Courts The counsel's program for the establishment of anti-trust courts as a way to expedite private and Government trust actions, likewise was approved. So, too, was Mr. Myers' proposal to seek an amendment of the Robinson-Patman Bill as a means of ending price discrimination on film sales. "CRITICIZE FROM INSIDE"— JONES Every exhibitor should be a stockholder in those companies from which he buys his pictures. That was the suggestion made Monday by Leo Jones of Ohio as the Allied convention opened in New Orleans. As a stockholder, Mr. Jones reasoned, the exhibitor is a partner. As a partner, he's got a say-so in the business. That say-so can be used to criticize production and sales policies. As a stockholder in Twentieth Century-Fox, Mr. Jones said, he asked why a certain program was not played in his own houses. That query passed from his stockbroker to A. W. Smith, Jr., 20thFox sales manager. "I knew all along," Mr. Jones told the delegates, "why I wasn't playing Andy's pictures in my theatres, of course, but eventually the situation eased off so that the approximately 62 Ohio situations served out of Cleveland are now buying Fox flat when they couldn't before. If 8,000 letters written by exhibitors as stockholders go in every week, don't you think we'd get some action?" His suggestion drew a round of applause. The Cryptix method of coding theatre tickets, a development accredited to Willis Vance of Ohio, was given board approbation. Allied is interested in this calculating device op the conviction it will safeguard theatre grosses from eyes other than those of a theatre's authorized personnel. Allied to Have Unit In Memphis Territory Allied will have a unit in the Memphis territory as soon as organizing work is completed. The plan, which is currently centered in a group of exhibitors from that area, is being worked out by a committee composed of T. A. Batlas, J. A. West, Edward O. Collins and David Flexer of Memphis ; John C. Mohrstadt, Hayti, Mo.; Lyle Richmond, Seneth, Mo. ; Mrs. Claire Collier, Crew, Miss., and Ned Green, Mayfield, Ky. The anticipated criticism of National Screen developed at Wednesday's session. Complaints over service, prices and general treatment were registered by delegates from Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The upshot of a long parade of complaints was a willingness expressed by George F. Dembow, National Screen's general sales manager, to meet an Allied committee and discuss their problems in an effort to reach an accord. He voiced his conviction that "matters can be made right." Allied Theatre Owners of the Gulf States increased its board Wednesday from 12 to IS and elected seven new directors. J. V. Quinn, Nick Lamantia, W. M. Sendy, Locke Bolen and B. V. Sheffield were elected to three-year terms. G. L. French was elected for two years and J. Williams for one. The new board will elect officers at the next meeting. Cole Reviews Allied's 20 Years of Crusading Key personalities on the New Orleans scene included Colonel Cole, who reviewed Allied's 20 years of campaigning for trade reforms and theatre divorcement by litigation ; Stanley Kane, of North Central Allied, who traced the course of the long fight against Ascap; Benjamin Berger of Minneaoplis, who led off the onslaught against forced percentage selling; Jack Kirsch, of Chicago, who supported Mr. Berger ; Charles Niles of Iowa and Leo Jones of Ohio; Irving Dollinger and Edward Lachman of New Jersey, Ernest Schwartz of Ohio, Sidney Samuelson of Pennsylvania, and Harold Pearson of Wisconsin, who were prominent in the symposium on television, and Pete Wood of Ohio, who upon hearing that 10 United Artists attractions were under charge of incorporating National Brewing advertising, remarked : "They must drink a lot of beer at UA." 16 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, DECEMBER 4, 1948