Valenti to retire from Motion Picture Assoc.

Reuters ^ | 03/23/2004 | Reporting Bob Tourtellotte, writing by Peter Henderson, editing by Michael Miller

[Wally_Kalbacken]

LAS VEGAS, March 23 (Reuters) - One of Hollywood's most powerful men said goodbye to the silver screen on Tuesday after an almost 38-year-long career in which he never acted, directed, produced or wrote for the screen.

Hollywood's chief lobbyist Jack Valenti, the chief executive of the Motion Picture Association of America, announced he will retire from the powerful industry group in a few months, confirming speculation he would step down.

"This is the time for me to depart as CEO. I feel that in my gut," Valenti told reporters at the movie theater industry's ShoWest trade gathering.

Valenti, 83, and a former aide to Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson, has run the MPAA for nearly 38 years and is one of Washington's most powerful lobbyists on entertainment and media issues.

The MPAA is the lobby group for Hollywood's film and television studios. Valenti said the group has hired a search firm to find a replacement, and added he was "hopeful to have somebody in place in the next two or three months."

Valenti said he planned to "stay connected" to the film industry after his retirement, but did not elaborate.

"I must say I look at this with mixed emotions. When you've done something for so long, it's very difficult to tear yourself away from it," Valenti said.

John Fithian, president of the National Association of Theater Owners which represents movie exhibitors in Washington, called it a "sad day" for his group because Valenti had been a strong champion for the industry over many years.

"If I didn't know he was very serious ... I would try to use all my lobbying skills to get him to stay," Fithian said.

Over the years, Valenti has been a strong advocate of the movie ratings system and a defender of free speech rights. In recent years, he has spearheaded the film industry's battle against illegally copying movies in theaters, at home and on the Internet and re-selling the copies in black markets.

PIRACY AND SCREENERS

Valenti has often called digital piracy the film industry's newest and biggest threat as it could reduce ticket sales in the future and wipe the film industry off the map.

Only one day earlier, he unveiled a plan to show anti-piracy trailers in theaters overseas and follow them up with an educational program in schools much like the industry is doing in the United States.

The MPAA chief suffered one of the few major setbacks of his long career in 2003 when Hollywood's major studios tried to institute a ban on sending out "screeners" -- videotapes and DVDs of movies competing for awards during Oscars season.

Small, independent companies claimed the ban was an unfair trade practice. A New York judge agreed and lifted it.

"If I had it to do all over again, I probably would have shaped and formed (the ban) differently," he said. Valenti added that this year, the MPAA will take no role in any sort of ban proposal and the sending out of screeners would be decided by each, individual studio.

A Texas native, Valenti ran an advertising agency in Houston before heading to Washington to work for Lyndon B. Johnson, then majority leader of the U.S. Senate.

Valenti worked as a press attache in the administrations of both Kennedy and Johnson. In November 1963, when Kennedy was assassinated, Valenti stood next to Johnson as he was sworn in as president on the plane carrying Kennedy's coffin.

Valenti continued as a special assistant to Johnson. He was hired to lead the MPAA in 1966.

(Reporting Bob Tourtellotte, writing by Peter Henderson, editing by Michael Miller; email: bob.tourtellotte@reuters.com; +1-213-955-6754))

[Wally_Kalbacken]

Although it is a very tough competition, and despite his age, Jack Valenti is right up there at the top of the list - of people possessed by an excessive sense of self-importance. Good riddance to a major blowhole!

[international american]

I used to have coffee every morning at the Cafe of the Pink Turtle...(pink is right) at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Valenti would always be there with his entourage. The day Reagan was elected, he offered to buy breakfast for anyone who voted against Reagan. I ordered steak and eggs....about 15 bucks in the early 80's. Then I belched, and told Valenti I voted for Reagan...after he paid the tab:)

[UCANSEE2]

Jack Valenti. MPAA

Marylynn Monroe - The Kennedy Brothers.

Organized Crime - Hollywood.

See if you can assemble these pieces of the puzzle.

[international american]

You got that right! But Hollywood always had their share of good guys. I saw Jimmy Stewart...and his best buddies, Wayne Newton, and Pat Boone in that place all the time too. And Stewart was treated like royalty.