Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

may 20 1918 INCORPORATED WITH WHICH IS THE NICKELODEON Vol. XIX CHICAGO, APRIL 27, 1918 No. 17 Co-operative Field Getting Crowded MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS UPHEAVALS UPHEAVALS expected in the producing end of the industry were brought nearer last week when the men back of the co-operative booking arrangement that has been known as the Exhibitors & Producers Affiliated met in New York and formally launched themselves under a new plan. With the Exhibitors & Producers Affiliated in the field there are now at least three formidable co-operative movements under way, the United Picture Theatres of America, Inc., and the W. W. Hodkinson plans being the others. One or Two May Lose Out Conservative exhibitors are of the opinion that the co-operative field is getting crowded and that before long one plan, possibly two, will have to go down to defeat. On the other hand the success of any one, or possibly all, will affect the big producers, and with conditions none too stable now, several crashes would not be surprising. The absence of ready money, the inability to get more because of the status of the money market and the burden of high-priced stars, it is believed, would explain the failures. All Are Optimistic Optimism, or an appearance of it, is evident in all ranks, however. With the United Picture Theatres of America, Inc., according to the gossip, it is justified, for that organization is forging onward to success rapidly. Men connected with the other plans are equally as confident, however. Those back of the Exhibitors & Producers Affiliated say they have 1,900 booking days already pledged. Furthermore, they assert, their organization is more stable as it is "controlled solely by motion picture theatre owners." But so is United Theatres, too, according to its officers. New Plan Outlined The Producers & Exhibitors Affiliated plan is predicated on one of several propositions that were submitted. It provides for the operation of exhibitors' booking units, bound together for the purpose of the purchase of pictures in a central organization, the offices of which are to be located in New York and Chicago and the representatives of whom are to be stationed in each of the units for the purpose of co-operating with the exhibitors in the marketing of their films. The selection of film is to be made by the exhibitors themselves through the board of directors of each unit before a franchise is awarded the producer. Upon the acceptance by a sufficient number of units to guarantee the cost of the productions, the producer is to be given the right to market his offerings through the new organization by a contract which provides for a sixty-day cancellation clause. Six independent producers have already made application for membership, and it is understood that consideration is being given to several others. Exhibitors to Divide Profits The exhibitors are to receive, in addition to a substantial concession in rental prices, a fifty per cent interest in the excess profits earned by the pictures in their individual territories. Units already formed and operating are the Exhibitars' Booking Syndicate of Greater New York; the Associated Theatres, Inc., of Indianapolis ; the Motion Picture Theatre Association of Illinois ; the Associated Theatres, Inc.. of Illinois; the United Exhibitors' Association of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania ; the North and South Carolina Exhibitors' Booking Association ; the Exhibitors' Booking Association of Michigan ; the Tri-state Exhibitors' Circuit of Pittsburgh, and the Exhibitors' Booking Association of Indiana. With these as a nucleus, work will be started immediately upon the organization of other units. Prominent Men Present The convention drew to it a large representation of exhibitors. Among those present were : Harry M. Crandall, Washington, D. C. ; Fred C. Nixon-Nirdlinger, Philadelphia; William L. Sherrill, Frohman Amusement Corporation; C. R. Seelye, United Pictures Theatres, Inc. ; Tarleton Winchester, Pathe, New York ; Harry Rapf and Oscar I. Lasberger, Ivan Film; Chandon Brenon, representing Herbert Brenon Production ; Edward W. Bring, W. W. Hodkinson Corporation; Joseph A. Golden, president, Triumph Film Corporation ; Byron Park, Salt Lake City; John Manheimer, New York, and Louis Frank, Chicago. A committee of five will handle the executive affairs of the organization for the present. The committee consists of Sydney Cohen, president of the New York State Exhibitiors' League ; Joseph Hopp, president of the Illinois Motion Picture Exhibitors' League ; Louis Frank, Chicago ; Frank Rembusch, Indianapolis, and Kind Perry, Detroit.