Motion Picture Herald (Oct-Dec 1956)

TOA Sets Meeting With Film Companies . . . Stellings, at Charlotte convention, announces series of conferences to seek "reconciliation of differences" in industry CHARLOTTE: In the highlight of his speech here Tuesday before the annual convention of the Theatre Owners of North and South Carolina, Ernest Stellings, president of Theatre Owners of America, announced that he was leaving for New York to “spend the next several days in conference with the heads of the national producing and distributing companies"— thus to implement the first point in the five-point TOA program for the betterment of all segments of the motion picture industry. Pledges Reconcilation The first point of the five-point program, which Mr. Stellings was in course of enunciating when he announced his New York trip, pledges TOA to seek means for “a reconciliation of the differences that exist between various segments of this business.” (The meetings which Mr. Stellings was to hold in New York were to be the first of their kind since the Spring of 1955, when top TOA officials joined with their Allied States Association counterparts in a series of individual talks with the heads of the distributing companies. The results of those meetings were generally held to have been inconclusive.) The Stellings address came on the second and last day of the convention at the Hotel Charlotte here and marked his first appearance before his “home” unit as president of the national association. The four other points touched upon by Mr. Stellings included: Plans to increase box office returns — comprising plans developed by TOA and plans developed by the production-distribution companies; Arbitration and conciliation — and Mr. Stellings’ declaration that it is his “plan and purpose to pursue and push to a successful conclusion a program of arbitration that is acceptable to both exhibition and distribution”; Institution of a public relations program “combined with a publicity campaign,” to supplement the box office building campaign “for the purpose of creating better public relations with the general public for our theatres and attractions”; and Efforts to bring about the production of more good pictures during the year which, to some extent, will “automatically cause the spread of good pictures throughout the HOPES TALKS MIGHT LEAD TO ROUNDTABLE Ernest Stellings, president of Theatre Owners of America, on his arrival in New York Wednesday afternoon said his talks with film company heads would cover public relations and trade practices "with everything leading up to an industry roundtable conference, perhaps." Mr. Stellings immediately began his series of conferences, saying that before his departure Saturday he would "attempt to see" Walter Branson, RKO Radio; Charles Reagan, Loew's Inc.; A. Montague, Columbia; Spyros Skouras, 20th-Fox; Alfred DafF, Universal, and Barney Balaban, Paramount. He also hoped to set up similar meetings with executives at United Artists, Allied Artists and Republic. A meeting with Warner Brothers was delayed because Benjamin Kalmenson, executive vicepresident, was in Hollywood. year instead of having them released in two or three short periods of time, as has been done recently.” In connection with the last point, Mr. Stellings added that TOA will continue its efforts toward securing a more orderly release of top pictures. In the early part of his address, Mr. Stellings reminded the delegates that “the original TOA program for this year listed as possibly the most important — especially from a viewpoint of urgency— the improvement of relationships existing between exhibition and the other branches of this industry. It is my confirmed belief that no industry or any major portion of an industry can progress very far unless that industry works together as a whole. . . . “If we, as exhibitors, are to be supplied enough good pictures, we must return to production and distribution sufficient revenue to make possible the production and distribution of good product to attract people to our theatres and thereby make exhibition profitable and provide money for the creation of product for future release.” The TOA president acknowledged the presence at the convention of William Gehring, Alex Harrison, Harry Ballance and Paul Wilson, all of 20th Century-Fox. “They represent a company,” he said, “headed by a man who has indicated to me every desire to cooperate with exhibition in every way. I know that these gentlemen feel the same way as does Spyros Skouras because they follow the policy which he represents. Others in dis tribution feel the same way. I have been immeasurably encouraged by the attitude expressed to me on the part of distribution— an attitude indicating a desire to cooperate with exhibition that our industry may progress, may prosper, and may continue.” Elaborating on the box office building efforts, Mr. Stellings said that because production and distribution had also developed certain ideas “similar to those of TOA” — and since “neither plan has developed to the point where it is a definite program” — meetings on this project were being held in New York Tuesday. “It is my hope,” he said, “that out of these two proposals will come one advertising, publicity and promotion campaign which, during 1957, should materially help in returning, to the theatre box offices of the country, many patrons who have for one reason or another stayed away.” Mr. Stellings praised the production plans of Stanley Warner and American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres, as well as the increase promised by 20th-Fox. In conclusion he reported that TOA has completed setting up committees to carry out the program outlined, and added, “By this time next year, I am confident we will see the accomplishment of many of the aims listed in the TOA program this year. Gehring Gives Advice Mr. Gehring, vice-president of 20th-Fox also addressed the convention Tuesday afternoon, making a plea for all exhibitors to unite under one banner. “We haven’t time for disagreement in this industry,” he said. “I advocate one organization, not a TOA, an Allied or Metropolitan, but one big exhibitor group.” Elected president of the Carolina unit was Howard McNally, of Fayetteville, N.C., who succeeds Jack D. Fuller, of Columbia, S.C. Also elected were Robert Bryant, first vice-president; and Harold Armistead, second vice-president. New directors are R. E. Angle, R. L. Baker, H. E. Buchanan, Frank Beddingfield, George Carpenter, J. B. Harvey, W. H. Hendrix, R. A. Howell, Sam L. Irvin, Wade McMillan, Haywood Morgan, Hugh Smart, Roy Helms, Mr. Stellings, and J. K. Whitley. Mrs. Lucille Price was reelected executive secretary. Monday, the opening day of the convention, was given over to clinics designed to help exhibitors improve their operations. Speakers included Jack Brunagel, Perry Reavis, Horace Denning, L. C. Fitzgerald and Norris Hadaway. Petrillo, Walsh Named James C. Petrillo, president of the American Federation of Musicians, and Richard F. Walsh, president of the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees, will serve as co-chairmen of the Labor Committee for the Entertainment Industry Tribute to Jimmy Durante, it was announced by Harry Brandt, chairman of the coordinating committee. 12 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, DECEMBER I, 1956