Ivy Films to Continue Series With H.L.U. as Sole Partner

Ivy Cinema's weekly film series will continue indefinitely without the support of the U.N. Council.

In an agreement signed last night, the Harvard Liberal Union and Ivy Films, who together with the U.N. Council have presented the Cinema's weekly movies since last fall, officially accepted the U.N. Council's resignation from the partnership effective as of March 2, under specified conditions.

The U.N. Council thus pulls out of Ivy Cinema with a net profit for the year of approximately $100, even though three of the last four films have lost money. This continuing loss of money reportedly brought about the U.N. Council's decision to resign from the partnership last week.

No U.N. Films This Spring

The terms of the resignation agreement specify that the U.N. Council will show no films by itself for the rest of this semester, and will show only three films, during specified weeks, in the 1954-55 school year. The two remaining members of Ivy Cinema agree they will not present movies in the weeks allotted to the U.N. Council.

It was also agree that any films shown by the U.N. Council must measure up to the quality standards that Ivy Cinema has been observing, and that the two groups shall exchange film titles in advance of showings to avoid duplication.

Not Enough Time

Bruce M. Selya '55, Vice-President of the U.N. Council, stated that his organization was resigning because it does not have the time to devote to a weekly film series. "Our function is primarily to educate and inform the University's students in the sphere of foreign relations, and we feel we can raise the required capital by showing only a limited number of films," he said.

Charles G. Kadison, Jr. '55, President of Ivy Films, objected to the U.N. Council's policy. "By showing just two or three films they skim the cream off the top of the campus film industry," he declared.

"Ivy Cinema's primary purpose is not to furnish financial support for its member organizations, but to give its audience good films," said Richard I. Krauss '57, new director of the Cinema. The profit motive is only a secondary one, he added.

In reply to a statement made last week by Robert B. Watson '37, Associate Dean of Students, that competition from the Brattle and University theatres had damaged the market for films here, Krauss maintained that Ivy Cinema could remain profitable. "We believe it can support two organizations, but no three," he said.