Showmen's Trade Review (Jan-Mar 1946)

4 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW, February 16, 1946 INDUSTRY NEWS Sound Labor Policy a Must^ Says Johnston MPRA Chiei Cites Close Tie Between Hollywood's Studios and the Theatres By TOM KENNEDY The most important single contribution to a good public relations job for the industry at this time is a labor relations program that will permanently end the chaotic situation currently existing in Hollywood, Eric Johnston told Showmen's Trade Review in New York last Friday (Feb. 8). Mr. Johnston in discussing the situation with this reporter prior to Erie A. Johnston the MPAA president's departure for Washington following his New York meetings with film company executives, advertising men and the trade press, indicated that in his opinion the difficulties besetting the producers extends far beyond the walls of the Hollywood studios and is a matter of concern to the entire industry, not exclusively the producer-distributor members of the organization of which he is president. "In my opinion,," Mr. Johnston said, "enlightened and efficient labor relations under which the present studio difficulties will be resolved and productive working conditions established between labor and management is a prime essential to a sound public relations program for the industry." He indicated that not merely the costly disruption of studio schedules — which place an economic burden on all branches of the industry — but other considerations give the matter vital concern to all enterprises and individuals associated with the industry, and definitely can affect "the public relations of the motion picture as an industry" and as a public institution as represented by the theatres in cities, towns and communities throughout the U. S. Mr. Johnston — citing the large number of crafts and guilds with which the studios have INDEX TO DEPARTMENTS Annual Index 1945 38 Box-Office Slants 8 Current Product Summary 44 Feature Booking Guide 40 Feature Guide Title Index 43 Hollywood 33 Index for January 1945 39 Regional Newsreel 20 Selling the Picture 15 Shorts Booking Guide 47 Shorts Subject Reviews 37 Theatre Management 9 Paramouni to Protect From 16mm. Invasion— Reagan Paramount Pictures has no intention, either at present or in the future, of jeopardizing its 35-mm. exhibitor accounts in the domestic market by expanding its 16-mm. program, it was stated unequivocally by Charles M. Reagan, vice-president in charge of distribution, during the recently completed regional sales meeting. In fact. Paramount has already curtailed its limited participation of the past, Mr. Reagan added. Pointing out that Paramount was the pioneer in the 16-mm. field when it began its activities in 1935, Reagan stressed the fact that exhibition of the small guage film today is confined to Red Cross hospitals, "Shut-In" institutions, schools and Prisoner-of-War camps. As to the 16-mm. service provided for schools, Reagan pointed out that available films utilized in educational programs include only pictures of a definite historic nature. As further protection to its regular 35-mm. accounts, the company recently withdrew all 16-mm. film from theatre-less towns. Future plans in the 16-mm. domestic field, as far as Paramount is concerned, Reagan concluded, definitely include the intention of strict adherence to the company's present policies, and the restriction of showings solely to those outlets with revenue possibilities removed from and not in competition with the standard-size field. Charles M. Reagan to deal — said that studio management faces tremendous problems in dealing with a highly complicated situation. "On the other hand," he added, "these unions have their own difficultieswhich have arisen over natural conflicts concerning jurisdiction." He admitted that the situation is a veritable "mess," and declared that "this is the fault of nobody in particular — unless you want to go 'way back into the beginning" of a highly complicated pattern which has r€-> suited in an industry employing such a large number and variety of crafts and skills. In view of the announced intention of two exhibitor organizations (Theatre Activities Committee and National Allied) to give high priority to discussions of a postwar public relations program for the industry, Johnston's remarks might indicate the existence of a hitherto unheralded relationship between his preoccupation with efforts for a long range solution to Hollywood's labor troubles and the emphasis put on public relations by exhibitor leaders. Eric Johnston is not alone in stressing the complex nature of the present labor situation in the industry Those who have been closely associated with the current difficulties in Hollywood insist that a closeup understanding of the intricate pattern of the studio-labor setup is essential to a full appreciation of the involved situation with which the industry has had to come to grips since the outbreak of the picketing and strikes that started in March 1945. Johnston, it is abundantly clear from his public pronouncements, has not swerved from his original position that he is interested in a "long range" program rather than an expedient out from the present difficulties. His attitude appears to be that the technic of the quick solution of immediate difficulties, instead of solving problems, has contributed to the further complication of a situation which, shortly after assuming bis post as head of the MPAA, Johnston described as "the most complicated jurisdictional strike I 'have ever known." SMPE to Educate All Industry Employes Under the leadership of Frank Cahill, Director of Projection and Sound for Warner Brothers, the Atlantic Coast Section of the Society of Motion Picture Engineers is undertaking a far-reaching program to acquaint all members of the industry with all phases of its activities. At Wednesday night's meeting at the Hotel Pennsylvania. New York, dubbing technique was explained by W. A. Pozner of MGM International Films Corp. Next month's meeting, to be held MarcCi 13th, will be addressed by Dr. Allen B. DuMont, President of DuMont Television, on the subject of the relationship between television and motion pictures. All meetings will open to members and nonmembers of the Society alike. Col. Cahill, who is chairman of the Atlantic Coast Section, stresses. Dailey Joins Music Hall Staff Major Jack F. Dailey, now on terminal leave after four years' service with the Army Air Forces, on March first, will join the staff of Radio City Music Hall as Administrative Assistant to G. S. Eyssell managing director. Altec Western Executives Confer on PostWar Plans Altec Service Corporation this week held a three-day conference of the Western Division in Seattle, at which district managers and supervisors from the Seattle and Los Angeles districts, together with home office executives, talked over the post-war program. In discussing the conference, G. L. Carrington, Altec president, said, "The Voice of the Theatre, Altec Lansing's new loudspeaker system, which has already received nationwide acceptance by exhibitors and patrons alike, was featured during the first day's session." SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW Title and Trade Mark Registered U. S. Pattnt Ofiet. Published every Friday by Showmen's Trade Seriew Inc., 1501 Broadway, New York 18, N. Y. Telephone BRyant 9-5606. Charles E. 'Chick' Lcwii, Editor and Publisher; Tom Kennedy, Associate Editor; Jamet A. Cron, General Manager; Ralph Cokain, Managing Editor: Harold Rendall, Equipment Advertising Manafirer; West Coast Office, 6777 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood 28, California; Telephone Hollywood 305S. Ann Lewis, manager. London Representative, Jock MacGregor, 16 Leinster Mews, London, W. 2.; Australian Representative, Gordon V. Curie, 1 Elliott St., Homebush, Sydney. Australia. Member Audit Bureau of Circulations. All contents copyright 1946 by Showmen's Trade Review, Inc. 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