Motion Picture Herald (1954)

ALLIED GETS “WEAPON” IN CONTROL BILL DRAFT Esther Williams, guest star, cuts the cake at the Allied Silver Anniversary banquet. Watching are Abram Myers, left, general counsel, and Ben Marcus, president. Group Is Seen Welcoming Distributors' Approach for Sales Policy Shift MILWAUKEE: At the closing session of their 25th anniversary convention in the Schroeder Hotel here last week, members of Allied States Association approved by an overwhelming standing vote the draft of a bill calling for Federal regulation of the motion picture industry. The resolution specifies that introduction of the bill is left to the discretion of Allied’s board of directors after a three-month period. If at the end of that time conditions in the industry have changed so as to make introduction of the bill unnecessary in the opinion of the board, it can be abandoned. If, on the other hand, the board at its next annual meeting in St. Louis in February, still feels legislation to be desirable, the membership pledges itself to do “all in our power to secure the bill’s enactment.” It was abundantly clear at the convention conclusion that Allied would welcome any overture from distribution companies for the purpose of discussing possible changes in sales policies which, if adopted, would relieve the exhibitor group of the responsibility of waging a campaign for Federal regulation. In the course of the meeting, Allied leaders repeatedly reminded the delegates that the organization’s leaders needed “ammunition” with which to wage their fight against what Allied regards as unfavorable film rentals and shortage of product. Two other Allied “bones of contention” which, undoubtedly, would be served up at any further distribution-Allied conferences are the shortage of prints, with its resultant effect upon availabilities and clearance, and what is called “the right to make a profit.” No Discussion Prior To Approval Vote Prior to its passage by a standing vote, the Federal regulation bill had been carried by a voice vote without any discussion whatsoever. Surprised and disappointed by this seeming lack of interest in the measure, several Allied leaders contended that the chair had not observed several persons who wanted to be heard on the resolution. H. A. Cole, who had introduced the resolution, then moved for its reconsideration. Discussion was begun by Irving Dollinger of New Jersey, followed by Trueman Rembusch, of Indiana Allied; Beverly Miller, of Kansas-Missouri Allied ; Horace Adams, of Ohio Allied; A1 Myrick, of Iowa-Nebraska Allied, and Benjamin Berger, or North Central Allied. There was almost no advocacy of the move for Government regulation by the rank and file from the convention floor. Neither was there any vocal opposition to it by a rank and file member or anyone else (with the exception of two distribution speakers — 20th-Fox’s sales manager, W. C. Gehring and W. F. Rodgers, former MGM sales manager and now distribution consultant to Allied Artists). This was despite the fact that small exhibitors in private conversations with reporters had said they were opposed to Government regulation of any kind for any purpose. Provides for Filing of Price Classifications The heart of the Allied draft of Federal regulation provides for filing of theatre and film price classifications with the Federal Trade Commission. Complaints of misallocations by 25 or more exhibitors could bring about a hearing and a re-allocation by the F.T.C. Allied leaders revealed at the convention close that they have suggested to likely intermediaries, perhaps unofficially, that they sound out distribution company presidents on their attitude toward a get-together to explore concessions or reforms for which Allied would exchange its commitment to try for Federal regulation. It was mentioned that the auspices of Eric Johnston, president of the Motion Picture Association of America, or the Council of Motion Picture Organizations might be sought, although neither group is authorized to engage in trade practice activities of any kind. The results of the convention’s film clinics followed closely the report made by Allied’s film committee after its meetings with sales managers in New York last August. Following three days of meetings, exhibitors were reported to be most favorably disposed towards MGM and 20th-Fox and to be most critical of Columbia and Warner Brothers. There were seven clinics in all, one each for small towns, large towns, medium cities, large cities, neighborhoods and subsequent runs, outdoor theatres and circuit buyers. S. J. Goldberg, president of Allied of Wisconsin, the host unit, and coordinator of the seven film clinics, read a report covering the major distribution companies, consolidating complaints against each raised in the clinics. He reported that MGM is regarded as “about the fairest company, except in towns of 20,000 and under” ; that communications between the 20th-Fox home office and branches are sometimes undulydelayed so that policy favorable to small exhibitors may be a long time in coming, though already set ; that in the case of Universal there is less adherence to national policies than in any other companies, with most complaints limited to the Des Moines, Memphis and Omaha territories; that there were numerous and widespread complaints against Paramount’s pricing policies ; that on Warners there were numerous complaints of difficulties in making deals and in getting adjustments, especially in the case of driveins; and that in the case of Columbia there were numerous and widespread complaints of high prices. Concluding resolutions, all passed unanimously by the delegates, expressed appreciation to Wisconsin Allied, its president and to Ben Marcus, national director, for contributing to make the convention ‘'memorable” ; to Colonel H. A. Cole “for the role he has so ably filled during 25 years of our existence”; to Allied general counsel Abram Myers, for his “brilliance of thought and expression” ; and to Sidney Samuelson for his “unselfish contributions” during Allied’s history. Mr. Samuelson, a former Allied president, was ill and unable to attend. 12 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, OCTOBER 23, 1954