Motion Picture News (Oct-Dec 1930)

28 .1/ o t i o n P i c I ii r e X e w s October IS, 1930 Allied States Will Ratify New Contract; Michigan First Unit to 0. K. Agreement The Home Influence At the Empee Club with Louis Nizer and Izzy Schmertz, among others, present: Louis Phillips, on the legal firing line for Paramount, was entertaining his youngster. "What are you going to be when you grow up, Gerald?" some one asked. "Lawyer," was the quick-as-a-flash reply. "They just don't train the kids properly these days," one wisecracker remarked. Nebraska, Iowa Unit Favorable To New Contract Omaha — Favorable reception of the proposed new standard form of license agreement marked the meeting here of the Nebraska and western Iowa exhibitor unit. The draft of the proposed contract was outlined by M. A. Lightman, president of the M. P. T. O. A. Seventy delegates were on hand for the two-day . sessions. Bit ?"*■ It had been expected that Allied States Association would attempt to "move in" on the present association, forming a unit of its own during the convention, but its organizers changed tactics and didn't show up. C. E. Williams of Omaha, veteran president of the organization, who was projected into the national limelight when he appeared as one of the principal witnesses against the Brookhart bill, was re-elected president for the ninth consecutive year. Three hundred attended the joint banquet given by the association and the Film Board. M. A. Lightman Texas Exhibitors Point For Convention Oct. 27 Dallas — Members of the Allied Theatre Owners of Texas are pointing for their annual convention to be held here Oct. 27 and 28. Predictions for a record attendance are based on assurance that three leaders will journey south for personal appearances before the Texas body. Abram F. Myers, president of the Allied Association; H. M. Richey, leader of the Michigan unit; and Al Stefifes, general manager of the Northwest organization, will be in Dallas for the October dates. Wolverine State Approves New Standard Form, But Will Veto Guarantees Detroit — Allied States Association will ratify the proposed new standard form of agreement, it is indicated by action of directors of the Michigan unit in approving draft of the agreement. This move conforms with the exclusive Motion Picture News article of several weeks ago, which declared that considerations outside of the contract would not influence Allied's decision in ratifying or affirming the proposed agreement. This refuted claim that Allied might walk out on the proposed agreement due to the squabble over protection. The Michigan organization accepted the new contract in an executive session held following the organization's convention at Grand Rapids. The organization is the first in the United States to ratify the proposed new form of agreement. At the Grand Rapids sessions, the Michigan organization condemned guarantee and percentage bookings. No objection was voiced to the percentage system, but the meeting vetoed guarantees. "New Blood" in Industry to Get Picture Lowdown "A clearing house" for men new in the picture business, due to changed conditions in the industry, is the manner in which one official describes the forthcoming convention of the M.P.T.O.A. to be held Nov. 10, 11 and 12 at Philadelphia. Committees now are busy lining up speakers who will address the annual gathering of the exhibitor association. Charles Picquet of North Carolina is chairman of the convention committee named by President M. A. Lightman. Others are: Charles Picquet, M. A. Lightman, R. R. Biechele. Willard Patterson, Frank C. Walker, Tav Emanuel, M. J. OToole. Edward M. Fay, Wm. Benton, M. E. Comerford, Sam. Dembow, Fred Desberg, Jack Miller, Moe Silver, Maj. L. E. Thompson, Fred Wehrenberg, Dean Rundell. Edward Kornblite, William Dillon, Sam Katz, Spyros Skouras, L. O. Davis, Merle Davis. Oscar Lehr, Louis K. Ansell, Floyd Maxwell. Harry Alexander. Peter Adams, J. J. McCarthy, J. Hoffman, E. G. Levy, Ernest Horstmann. Jake Lourie, Sen. J. H. Bean. Michael White, Sidnev Nutt, H. D. Wharton, Ed. Kuyendahl, R. X. Williams, Robert Wilby. Arthur Lucas, Love B. Harrel, A. B. Momand. Sidney Lust. A. J. Brylawski, Frank Durkee. J. Louis Rome, Theodore Hays. Harry Nolan. J. J. Ruben, I. W. Rodgers, John A. Schwalm. Martin G. Smith. William James. Jack Harwood, P. J. Wood, I. Libson. L Weinberg. Tony Sudekum. E. L. Drake. Louis Markus. John P. Ashton. E. A. Buiford, Al. Ringling, M. J. Kallett. Meyer Schine. William Smalley. Walter Vincent, Wil'iam Quigley, Abe Sablosky, John Harris. Jr.. Mike Manos, Stanley Elkin, L. J. Chamberlain. Col. W. S. Butterfield. George Trendle, A. C. Zaring. Ben Berinstein. Cliff Griffin, Rodnev Pantages, Michael Gore, L. L. Bard. E. V. Richards. J. H. Saeneer. Rupert Richards. Phil laley, W. L. Lawrence, E. Van Hying. Arthur on Own Hollywood — Harry Arthur, Fox theatre chief in the east, has purchased a half interest in the Mission theatre at Fullerton and in the Fox West Coast house at Anaheim. The houses are being remodeled and will be reopened soon. Operation of the theatres will be under the direct supervision of Milton Arthur, Harry's brother, who also will book the houses, taking this job away from Fox West Coast. Harry Arthur recently leased the Strand, Long Beach, from Fox West Coast and put Milton in direct charge. Myers Praises Kent but Warns Battle Still On Battle Creek — In Sidney R. Kent, the independents have a man to whom they can bring their complaints in the certainty of receiving a hearing and fair consideration, Abram F. Myers told the Michigan meeting here. He cited Kent's attitude and actions during the 5-5-5 conference and on other occasions. "But," the Allied leader said, "with the renewal of rezoning attempts throughout the country, judicial power in industry affairs has once again reverted to its old entities. You are obliged to fight for everything that is and should be yours." Myers recounted incidents that occurred at zoning sessions throughout the country to support his statement, and emphasized particularly the tactics employed to gain the approval of a new zoning plan for Chicago and Illinois two weeks ago. Representatives in attendance at that meeting, he said, were asked to "initial" copies of the protection plan with the understanding that it was not to be a commitment of approval. When these were obtained, Myers related, it was announced by representatives of the Hays organization that the plan had been adopted. He lauded independent representatives at that session for withholding their signatures, thus blocking adoption of the plan, which he declared to be inimical to their interests. Sidney R. Kent La Salle Decorated Minneapolis— The LaSalle has just been redecorated in a modernistic design by the Shelton Decorating Co. of this city.