Boxoffice-11.11.1950

HALT TO COMPETITIVE BIDDING
IS ASKED BY WISCONSIN ALLIED
Practice Is Destructive,
Resolution Contends;
Rename Ben Marcus
MILWAUKEE — A resolution condemning
the practice of competitive bidding for films
was passed by the convention of Allied Independent
Theatre Owners of Wisconsin and
Upper Michigan here October 31-November 1.
The resolution stated that competitive bidding
was for the sole purpose of extracting
more of the boxoffice dollar, making it impossible
for the exhibitor to operate his
business at a legitimate profit.
It resolved, "That competitive bidding be
condemned and all distributors are hereby
exhorted to discontinue this destructive practice
and resort to saner and more equitable
methods of selling their pictures."
PRAISE SCREENING COMMITTEE
Another resolution passed praised the work
of members of the screening committee for
confidential screening reports of pictures.
The resolution praised the committeemen for
attending the screenings and compiling honest
and unbiased reports on the merits of
the pictures screened. Appreciation was expressed
officially to Joe Strother, chairman:
Harry Melcher, Dick Saeger, Harry Perlewitz,
Ed Vollendorf, Angelo Provinzano and Joe
Woodward.
Abram F. Myers, general counsel and chairman
of the board of National Allied, stressed
the power of the screen in cultural and intellectual
spheres in his addresses before the
group. He reminded the exhibitors of the
industry's efforts in charity and education.
To prove the patriotic sincerity of the industry,
he pointed out that the fight against
the 20 per cent tax on admissions was
dropped at the beginning of the Korean war.
Trueman Kembusch, president of National
Allied, told the group that the best way for
them to fight against the new enemy, television,
and against unfair distributor practices
was by attending conventions which
would keep them informed.
SAYS TV MAKES DIFFERENCE
Henry Toilette, Neenah, district manager of
the Marcus theatres which include 20 theatres
and three airers, emphasized that television
had made a difference in business.
"Where television has not reached, business
is still normal," he said. In Milwaukee,
business has been -off 10 to 25 per cent in the
last two years, he added.
Andrew M. Spheeris, owner of the Towne,
Milwaukee, was not as willing to admit the
impact of television. He attributed the drop
in business to other reasons, such as the
weather, and said that ultimately, television
may help the film industry.
Robert Gross, manager of a drive-in theatre
in Milwaukee, also said that video may
help the industry. The novelty of television
will not last long, he said. Meanwhile, it will
stimulate interest in entertainment, he insisted.
S. J. Goldberg, Wausau, owner of a
drive-in and conventional house, agreed with
The newly elected officers and directors of Allied ITO of Wisconsin are shown
in the top photo. Standing, left to right. Russell Leddy, director, Green Bay; A. M.
Spheeris, Milwaukee, treasurer; directors, Eric Brown of Plymouth, Floyd Albert of
Mount Horeb; John O'Connor of Platteville; Fred Krueger. Milwaukee, secretary, and
directors Jerome Goderski of Milwaukee, C. E. Baldwin of Gillett. Seated: F. J.
McWilliams, Portage; Charles Trampe. Milwaukee, directors; Ben A. Marcus, Oshkosh,
president; John Adler, Marshfield, director, and S. J. Goldberg, Wausau, vicepresident.
Conventioneers seen in the middle group: Orville Langheinrich, Anthony LaPorte,
Angelo Provinzano, A. J. Honthaner, Jerry Goderski, Arnold Brumm, who is behind
Ed Johnson, Harry Krueger, Billy Pierce, Evelyn Gutenberg, Clem Kraemer, Rose
Vogel, Helen Hanke, Gil Nathanson and Sig Goldberg.
In the bottom photo, rear: An unidentified exhibitor. Fred Miner. Frank
Manske, William Ainsworth. Ruth Huebner. Russ Leddy and F. J. Williams. Front:
N. F. Kellenhausen. Ranee Mason, Larry Beltz. A. Brock and Mr. McCormick.
Gross but said he had not been confronted
with television in his area. John Schuyler,
Hartland, Wis., manager of the Delft Theatres.
Inc. was optimistic and said indoor
houses of his chain had enjoyed a better
business this year than last. The consensus
at the conclave was that better films was
the reason for good business.
Ben Marcus, head of the S&M circuit of
Oshkosh and Milwaukee who was re-elected
president of Wisconsin Allied, cited the
achievements of the group in the last year.
These were showmanship campaigns, screening
reports, PTA sponsored kiddy shows, the
COMPO, and elimination of Ascap expenses.
Other officers elected by the new board
were: S. J. Goldberg, Wausau, vice-president;
Fred Krueger, Milwaukee, secretary, and
A. M. Spheeris, Milwaukee, treasurer.
The new directors cho-sen are: Floyd Albert,
Mount Horeb: John P. Adler, Marshfield;
C. L. Baldwin, Gillett; Eric Brown, Plymouth;
Russell Leddy, Green Bay; F. J. McWilliams,
Portage; Charles W. Trampe. Milwaukee;
John O'Connor. Platteville and Jerome Goderski.
Milwaukee.
The convention drew more than 250 members
to the Hotel Schroeder to hear prominent
speakers in the film industry. Exhibitor
groups were held in three sections, for small
town exhibitors with Eric Brown as chairman;
for subsequent runs with Edward Johnson
as chairman, and for large town theatres
(Continued on next page)
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