The records of the Allied Theatres of Michigan, Inc. document the activities, goals, and membership of a cooperative association for motion picture theatre owners in Michigan from 1917 to 1963.
The Motion Picture Theatre Owners of Michigan was officially formed in 1920 in Lansing, Michigan to represent and protect the interests of theatre owners in Michigan. Its constitution described its purpose to raise the standards of films and pictures, educate the public, advance fair business practices, secure legal protection, encourage cooperation and fellowship among theatre owners, and raise dues and donations from members. A president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and board of directors were elected to run the association. Within its first year, the association held its first annual convention meeting and protested proposed censorship legislation. The association continued its annual convention meetings, legal activism, and encouragement of standards and cooperation throughout its life.
In the 1920s, the association protested adverse legislation, such as Sunday closing laws, state and federal censorship laws, seat and admission taxes, state tax bills, and advertising bills. The association also articulated its expectations for high quality films, developed public outreach campaigns, represented its members in labor negotiations, and offered insurance and equipment at reduced costs.
As the association's membership grew and its departments expanded, its headquarters were moved to the Hotel Wolverine in Detroit in 1923. By 1928, ninety-one percent of Michigan theatres supported the association. Between 1929 and 1930, the association again moved to the Fox Theatre Building in Detroit. In 1931, the association formally changed its name to the Allied Theatres of Michigan, Inc.
In the 1930s, the effect of the Depression on the association can be seen by its decreasing membership and main concerns. In 1925 it had 475 members, but by 1931 it had little over 200 members. The association increasingly emphasized costs savings for its members. It campaigned for reduced wages for employees and reduced taxes. It offered reduced costs for equipment, the delivery of films, membership dues, and movie tickets. The association also voiced support or opposition for developing technologies and business practices in the motion picture industry.
By 1940, the association suffered severe financial loss when nearly all theatres in Detroit withdrew from the association. In the following years, the association emphasized drives for new members and its relationships with other motion picture associations. The association's concern with film distributors, leasing policies for films, percentage rates for films, and advertising show its reaction to the reorganization of the motion picture industry. The association also struggled with an increase of taxes, a lack of man-power, and a shortage of equipment and supplies in a war-time economy.
In the 1950s and early 1960s, the association self-consciously recognized that other forms of entertainment, such as television, sports, and 16 mm films, threatened theatres. The association emphasized new business strategies to make theatres economically viable. The association also maintained its functions of representing members in litigation, labor negotiations, disputes with film delivery services and distributors, and insurance claims. It continued its activism against admission taxes and state taxes.
Faced with the declining membership of independent theatre owners, the association vacated its Southfield, Michigan office in the late 1970s.
