Showmen's Trade Review (1939)

Page 6 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW July 8, 1939 ALL INVITED TO ACCEPT CODE I Rodgers Points Out It Represents Wholly Every Item Discussed HITS ALLIED CLAIMS Every exhibitor in the country whether a member of an organization or not will be invited to accept the code, according to a statement released this week by W. F. Rodgers, chairman of the distributors' negotiating committee. The statement attacked the action of the Allied convention in rejecting the code, pointing out that the Allied Board had rejected it before the distributors had even been heard. "It was quite apparent to the distributors from the very outset of the negotiations in October last, that some of the Allied representatives participating in the negotiations did not want a code in any form" the statement said. Rodgers' statement also disputed most of .the allegations made by the Allied committee m rejecting the report. First, Rodgers states that the Code covered not substantially but wholly every single item agreed upon with the Allied Committee. He also points out that much of the language is Myers' own and that several conferences were held and letters exchanged after the date on which Allied claimed the last conference was held. The preamble was discussed by the negotiators and Myers' own draft had a preamble, the statement says. It goes on: "It has been rather unique to be negotiating for a peaceful solution of trade problems with a body who sought all concessions possible and at the same time declared their intention, no matter what the outcome, to continue their efforts, through legislation or litigation, to further curtail the progress of those upon whom they are largely dependent for their future business security and who have endeavored sincerely to solidify an industry that all concerned may benefit to the greatest extent. "The fact that Allied as such Important Dates July 11-12: MPTO of Nebraska and Western Iowa meeting, Omaha. July 17: Clyde Eckhart silver anniversary dinner, Congress Hotel, Chicago. July 21 : Cleveland Variety Club golf tournament. Beechmont Country Club. August i : MPTO of Connecticut 4th Annual Golf Tournament, Race Brook City Club, Orange (New Haven), Conn. August 1-4: Schine Enterprises, Inc., annual convention, Hippodrome Theatre, Gloversville, N. Y. Oct. 15 : Pittsburgh Variety Club banquet, William Penn Hotel. Oct. 16-19: SMPE Fall convention, Hotel Pennsylvania. represents only a minority, and a small one, of organized exhibitor groups, and much smaller when the nation's theatres are considered, did not in the slightest deter us from a supreme effort to meet the problems as they were presented. We believed that we had succeeded at Chicago in November last; every item brought up was fully discussed and disposed of and it was understood there, and at that time, that the basis for a Trade Practice Code was established. All that remained was to reduce it to writing and suggest a method for arbitration. "We did prepare several drafts in which the language had been changed, but never the intent. Assurances have been given before, and are again repeated, that any unauthorized actions inconsistent with the proposed Code will be corrected. "With the contemplated change in the machinery for settling clearance disputes it is sincerely believed that we have a document (June 10th draft) that will enable all interested parties to conduct their business relationship more harmoniously and thereby benefit the industry at large. "We are not alone in this belief, as already the majority of organized theatre owners, independent as well as affiliated, have indicated their desire to operate under such a Code and are anxious that its application be put into effect at the earliest moment possible. "Every exhibitor in the United States, independent, affiliated, whether a member of an organization or not, is extended a cordial invitation to accept the Code. We hope that all will participate, irrespective of their affiliations." PATTERSON OK'D AS BOARD HEAD Appointment to RKO Berth Seems Equitable to Court In a short opinion handed down last Friday, Federal Judge William Bondy approved the appointment of Richard C. Patterson, Jr., as chairman of the board 'of directors of RKO. In addition to Patterson, the new RKO board will comprise Ned E. Depinet, Thomas P. Durell, Raymond Bill, Fredrick L. Ehrman, L. Lawrence Green, James G. Harbord, Conde Nast, John E. Parsons, N. Peter Rathvon, George J. Schaefer, W. G. Van Schmus and Lunsford P. Yandell. EXPECT OVER 300 AT SCHINE MEET Gloversville, N. Y. — With opening sessions scheduled to be held at the Hippodrome theatre here, more than 350 Schine theatre managers and leaders in the film industry will gather August 1-4 for the annual convention of the Schine Enterprises, Inc. During the second day of the meet, sessions will be highlighted by talks by Alec Moss, Paramount; William Ferguson, MGM; Lou Pollock, Universal; Charles E. McCarthy, 20th-Fox; Mort Blumenstock, Warners; Monroe Greenthal, United Artists; Maurice Bergman, Columbia; S. Barret McCormick, RKO; A. J. Rademacher, Altec sound engineer; Dave Palfreyman of the MPPDA. Plan Projectionists' Day at the Fair Joseph Basson, President of Local 306 has appointed a committee to make arrangements for Projectionist Day at the New York World's Fair in September. The arrangements committee, G. Edwards, C. Eichhorn, O. Kafka, and P. A. McGuire, chairman, will shortly announce a definite date for Projectionist Day and the names of Committees on Program, Invitation, etc., to secure the active participation of all locals in the U.S. and Canada. Neb-Iowa MPTO to Meet For Code Action Omaha — On July 11 and 12 the MPTO of Nebraska and Western Iowa will meet here to take action on the Trade Practice Code. Charles E. Williams, MPTO head and Omaha exhibitor, who made the announcement, said "the Code as proposed may not be just what the small theatre owner ordered, but it's a step in the right direction." ACTION TAKEN ON GIVEAWAYS Century Circuit Stops Practice in N. Y. Stopping all giveaways in the 19 theatres it operates in Brooklyn and Queens, the Century Circuit last week seized upon the decision in the Atlantic Theatre case as an opportunity for the elimination of giveaways. That other circuits might follow the action of the Century was considered a strong possibility. Issued from the office of J. R. Springer, general manager, a statement from the Century Circuit disclosing its action, follows: "In view of the fact that the manager of a theatre not affiliated with the Century Circuit was arrested, fined $500 and given a jail sentence, which it is reported was afterwards suspended, Century feels it is not fair to have its managers assume a similar risk and is therefore announcing in all Century Theatres within the City of New York' that all such money giveaway activities will be suspended until the legal situation concerning games and giveaways is clarified." "Career" Launched By Dual Premiere Des Moines — A dual world premiere at the Paramount and Orpheum here Sunday night launched RKO Radio's "Career," the opening tieing in with the final broadcast of Jesse L. Lasky's Gateway to Hollywood talent quest. About 75,000, it is estimated, packed the streets around the two theatres. SHOWMEN'S MOTION PICTURE Trade Vol. 30, No. 24 Review July 8, 1939 Title and Trade Mark Reg. U. S. Pat. Off. Charles E. "Chick" Lewis Editor and Publisher TOM KENNEDY Associate Editor JOS. H. GALLAGHER Film Advt. Mgr. HAROLD RENDALL Equip Advt. Mgr. ROBERT WILE Managing Editor WEST COAST OFFICE ANN LEWIS, West Coast Manager Guaranty Bldg., 6331 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, Cal., Tel. HOIIywood 1390 CHICAGO REPRESENTATIVE MARSHALL REINIG 612 No. Michigan Ave., Chicago, III. Telephone: Superior 7646 FOREIGN REPRESENTATIVE JOCK MacCREGOR, 20 Portsea Place Hyde Park, W., London, Eng. Showmen's Trade Review is published weekly by Showmen's Trade Review, Inc. Publication office, 34 North Crystal St., East Stroudsburg", Pa. Editorial and advertising offices, 1501 Broadway, New York City. . Tel.: Bryant 9-5606. Subscription price in the United States and Canada, $2.00 per year. Foreign $5.00 per year. Single copies, ten cents. Subscribers should remit with order. All contents copyrighted 1939. Motion Picture Associates honored David A. Levy and Leo Abrams at its monthly luncheon meeting last week, held at the Hotel Astor, on the occasion of Abrams' promotion to head the newly created Short Subjects Sales Department for Universal, with Levy stepping into the job of heading the Big U Exchange. On the dais, reading from right to left are: Bill Sussman, T. J. Connors, Louis Nizor, W. F. Rodgers, Dave Levy, Moe Sanders, Jack Ellis, Leo Abrams, Wm. A. Scully, Harry Brandt, Si Fabian, Sol Trauner, Moe Fromm and Lew Pizor.