Boxoffice - Feb. 17, 2014

•:?'*?;>
I
xhsi rlc^iimi uciWw
17, 1940 NATIONAL EDITIOl
PRODUCT ION i|N||IR|

WATCH THE MOVIE SKY!

PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY BY
ASSOCIATED PUBLICATIONS
Vol. 36 Number 13
February 17, 1940
Member
Audit Bureau of Circulations
BEN SHLYEN
Publisher
MAURICE KANN
Editor-in-Chief
LOUIS RYDELL
Advertising Manager
Editorial Offices: 9 rockefeller plaza, new
YORK city; Publication Office: 4804 e. 9th
ST., KANSAS CITY, MO.; Hollywood: 6404 hollywood
BLVD.; Chicago: 332 s. Michigan blvd.
WILLIAM G. Formby, Editor; Jesse Shlyen,
Managing Editor; J. Harry Toler, Modem
Theatre Editor; A. J. Stocker, Eastern Representative;
Ivan Spear, Western Manager.
THE
THE PUBLIC BE DAMNED-AGAIN?
full story of the recent Neely bill debate before
the Screen Writers' Guild in Hollywood has not been
told. Not quite.
The arguments in opposition, presented by George
Schaefer of RKO, and those for enactment, presented
J.
by Abram F. Myers of Allied, are, or should be, known
by this time. But now comes a stenographic report of
the question and answer period which followed to reveal
several interesting and significant arguments. We deal
with them today.
Schaefer made much of the point that the venturesome
spirit in production must flourish. "A venturesome spirit
is not only capital, but the venturesome spirit is the producer,
the director, the author, the writer, the man who
has a germ of an idea ... I don't think the producer, the
author and the writer should take the full load. I think
the independerit exhibitor and the affiliated exhibitor
are part and parcel of this industry. They should support
the workers of this industry in their initiative and
in their experimental stage to try to bring to the publ'c
those things that we are always reaching for," he stated.
Walter Wanger, arguing the synopsis provision of the
bill represented actual, or potential, federal censorship
which Myers denied, demanded to know how it would
affect "the creators who are anxious to go in for experimentation
... in reference to pictures like 'Pasteur,' 'The
Grapes of Wrath,' "Of Mice and Men' or any other experimental
pictures?"
It is of record that Myers believed "some of the pictures
you have named, those great biographical pictures,
that the submission of those pictures in advance
ought to lead to wider circulation, because there ought
to be a wider demand from the group, the community
groups interested in this matter for the production of
pictures of that kind."
It is of record, too, that Myers added, "When you mention
The Grapes of Wrath' and 'Of Mice and Men,' I am
not so sure what the result would be, because they are
based on books so filthy that they would not be kept
in the average American home." Finally, it is of record
that Myers was hissed at this point, thereafter and immediately
adding, "... I would say this, the average
teacher and reader in a community would be prejudiced
against those pictures from their title. Now sometimes
you can't tell. I wouldn't be able to tell in advance just
what the results would be."
This is the background. And now what this column
thinks.
The job and the responsibility of making pictures inherently
belong to the producer. By his ability or his
lack of it, he prospers or fails and so does the exhibitor,
reflecting public acceptance. The venturesome spirit of
which Schaefer spoke and the living space for experimentation
for which Wanger argued must be maintained
at all odds. In fact, it must be encouraged. For
progress, otherwise, will be circumscribed to the strangulation
point unless the producer, hitting and missing
alike, is permitted the latitude which allows him to step
in new directions, unmarked as to precedent, uncharted
as to course.
How else are departures from the routine to be
achieved? What is to vary the level of production and
how can that level be raised if the producer charged
with the task is not to endeavor, at least, to do something
new?
"The Grapes of Wrath" dramatically tells of the migratory
workers' plight in California. Myers himself is
in patent doubt over its outcome if its production hinged
on the synopsis provision of the Neely bill. "Dr. Ehrlich's
Magic Bullet" frankly and honestly traces the scientific
history of the cure for syphilis. There can be very little
doubt, indeed, over its fate under a similar restriction.
Yet both films, in their separate ways, are outstanding
and do far more credit to the industry than a score or
more of the boy-gets-girl variety. Farsightedness prevailing,
there will be more. Hope for it.
Already the bewildered and meek victim of pressure
groups of infinite description, the industry would face
a future without parallel under a condition making the
exhibitor the butt of any and all groups arguing against
that which they oppose and regardless of what it may
represent.
This would constitute a pre-censorship far more dangerous
and potentially more disastrous than the brands
represented by police power and legislative authority.
Most clearly would it dictate what subjects could and
could not be made. Thereby ultimately would it deprive
the public from determining for itself, by patronage extended
or by patronage withheld, the films it will accept
or reject.
|{(Mma^

TRIAL DATE MAY BE MAY 1,
THEN AGAIN NO;
MAJORS' LAWYERS DOUBT GOV'T WILL BE SET
Gov't Apparently Not So
Sure of Its Own Case,
Statement Indicates
New York—Any delay in getting the
all-industry suit under way May 1 will be
of the government's own doing, major
counsel states, declaring in its opinion it
is impossible for the department of jus-
Again, it is pointed out, distributors are
making every effort to be ready by May 1.
In the event they are not. delays on questionable
issues will be sought, but not as
to the case as a whole. In other words,
if the attorneys are not prepared to answer
a certain issue, time will be asked to
look into it. The government, from apparent
indications, will not object to this
procedure.
The government's witnesses vsdll include
independent producers and distributors as
well as unaffiliated exhibitors, it is stated
in an affidavit submitted to 'William P.
Parnsworth in a request that Columbia accept
a consolidated list of interrogatories
in line with the other majors.
States the government. "It is manifestly
impossible to include within the confines
of the suit, evidence as to the nature and
extent of the practices in each community.
The government's fundamental contention
is that the business of production and distribution
should be divorced from exhibi-
Goddard, in First Appearance,
Cracks Down on Gov't Counsel
New York—In his first appearance in
the case Tuesday, Judge Henry W. Goddard
cracked down on the government for
its refusal to divulge information which
Columbia counsel claims is necessary and
tice to be ready on the proscribed date.
The contention of major lawyers is that
vital for its defense in the all-industry
trial counsel for the government will have
suit. The situation developed during a
to burrow through voluminous records to
hearing on motions both by the government
familiarize himself with the history of the
case before he can begin his opening remarks.
and the distributor for additional in-
It is understood David Podell will
terrogatories.
Pleading his case. Louis D. Frohlich of
be trial attorney for the prosecution.
Schwartz & Prohlich. Columbia attorneys,
Among the details Podell will have to
stated. "The government has been able to
every information and have
give attention are the numerous depositions
elicit bit of I
being taken at the local department's been unable to get anything from them."
offices by Robert L. 'Wright, answers to the
Particularly, the lawyer wanted to know
consolidated interrogatories filed by the why, in view of the fact Columbia does not
distributors and the various complaints as own theatres, it has been brought into the
they continue to reach the department. case.
To Use New Complaints
The government has informed distributors
it will use new complaints filed after
"Since we do not own theatres. I want
to know what we have done that is wrong,
how we violated the law and I can't find
the all-industry suit. According to an out until I get all the answers to our interrogatories."
agreement with the defendants, from 15
to 30 days notice before trial will be given William P. Parnsworth, representing the
major counsel in order to check and be government, answered, "We are willing to
prepared if. and when, such complaints disclose the government's case, but we are
are brought into the proceedings.
not willing to prepare it for the defendants."
Prohlich then colored and said, "The
government cannot come into this court
and take refuge in its prestige. I am entitled
to as much information from it as
I would be from a private litigant." He
objected to the government "setting itself
up as a judge" as to what information shall
be handed out.
"The government cannot say we will give
you what we like. That's the part we don't
like," Pi-ohlich added.
Whereupon the judge took the matter
in hand, informed both parties he could
not decide the motions for another month
tion. there being under the existing industry
structure discrimination in favor of
controlled theatres and against unaf-
Witness Data Not Revealed
Whether these witnesses are still in the
business or not has not been disclosed by filiated theatres by the eight majors in
the government which bluntly comes out licensing pictures.
with an announcement it will not vouch "The government's case must necessarily
be built on general lines and will pri-
for the integrity or statements of the men
it will call to the stand on its behalf. marily be concerned with showing how the
Apparently, and based on the statements industry developed, the extent of actual
made by William P. Parnsworth. the government
is not .sure of its own case, its policies of their own affiliates and thea-
control exercised by the producers over
witnesses or its evidence.
tres and the effect and control upon competition
in the industry.
"In showing this effect, the practical
necessities of a law suit compel the government
to select what it regards as representative
evidence rather than cover the
entire field."
Because it is impracticable to secure all
and hinted the trial may be delayed beyond
May 1.
"I haven't any doubt that Columbia is
entitled to something." Judge Goddard asserted.
"I can see now where we are not
going to get along. I think Columbia is
entitled to more than general answers."
The bench stated it was in favor of interrogatories
because it cuts short the actual
trial and eliminates details before trial.
Parnsworth objected on the ground that,
as soon as the names and addresses of the
witnesses are divulged, the defendants will
then begin investigating their dealings
with the witnesses. He said the government
would have to rely on hearsay, that
the witnesses would then come into court
and say "that so-and-so told me so," etc,
Parnsworth insisted Columbia was entitled
to the information given to the other seven
major companies and, since these companies
agreed to accept the government's
interrogatories, he did not see why Columbia
should be put into a class by itself.
The defense argument on this was that
Columbia was a producer and distributor,
did not own theatres and hence was not in
the same position as five other majors.
When the judge held that Columbia was
entitled to additional information because
of this, and with the government still objecting,
he stated, "The government is taking
an arbitrary position." He added that
if the prosecution drops this attitude, "I
can't but help feel we will get somewhere."
A concentrated effort to get together was
then urged by the court. The hearing was
put over to March 8. In the interim both
the government and Columbia attorneys
will try to work out a limited number of
objections. The March 8 date will give
Columbia time to review the answers to be
(Continued on page 10
the data necessary within a specified time,
the government states Atlanta. Kansas
City, New York and Philadelphia were
chosen as cities representative of what it
has in mind.
Testimony of witnesses to be called and
documents to be offered by the government
will not be testified to as authentic.
Parnsworth states.
"No government representative can attempt
to render any statements under oath
at any time as to what these persons will
say on the witness stand. The government
is not even going to vouch for the credibility
of any witness without a final discussion
of his testimony prior to his taking
the stand and when he does take the
stand, the government is not then bound
(Continued on page 10
BOXOFFICE :: February 17, 1940

1 "Pinocchio"
;
admission
i
over
I
j
;
stood
'
j
location
i
The
I
COMMERCE'S REPORT SUGGESTS NO SPECIFIC
FOR RELIEF; PAVES WAY FOR MORE CONFABS
9 New Suits In, 8
Out Since Jan. 1
New York—Since the first of the year,
nine new anti-trust actions have been filed
by independent operators against major
companies. Eight individual pending suits
involving alleged violation of the Sherman
Act have been settled and withdrawn from
the federal court calendars.
The settlement of one suit is pending and
from reports two other new actions may
be instituted unless the proposed plaintiffs
get together with distributors and other
interests.
In the list of new suits seven were instituted
by one operator, E. M. Loew of
Boston. The others were by Rubin Shapiro
of the Admiral, Philadelphia, against
Warner and the majors for $75,000 damages;
and the Waldo. Waldoboro, Me., action
for $250,000 against several Paramount
theatre subsidiaries and major distributors.
The Loew action seeks $640,000 triple
damages and involves a number of open
air drive-ins.
Suits disposed of by minor readjustments
are as follows:
Joy Amusement Co., operating the Joy,
DaUas. against Interstate and majors for
$17,000,000 and attorney fees.
Indianapolis Amusement Co., Roy E.
Bair, plaintiff, against majors. The plaintiff
at one time operated a small circuit.
M. M. Buchanan of the Bama. Athens,
Ga., sold the theatre to Tony Sudekum
and at the same time withdrew his suit
against the Crescent circuit and majors.
The Linden, Baltimore, against Louis
(Continued on page 14)
Children's Scale of 25c
Asked for "Pinocchio"
New York—RKO's sales policy on
calls for a minimum 25 cent
;
for children and an increase
current scales of 10 cents for adults,
plus a guarantee of the same playing time
given "Snow White."
Aside from these conditions, it is undersome
deals are being sought at 50
per cent, others at 40. The percentage al-
varies with situations and other
factors tying in with the run.
, j
New
negative cost is reputedly placed at
$3,000,000. This includes costs charged off
to experimentation and portions of the
film originally made, then scrapped for
improved sequences.
Loew Dividend
York—Loew's has declared a 50
j
cents common dividend, payable March 30
i to record stockholders of March 15.
BOXOFFICE :: February 17, 1940
Accord, However, Seen
Stymied by Justice
Attitude in Suit
By EARLE A. DYER
Washington—No definite, detailed, concrete
recommendations for solution of industry
problems were made by the department
of commerce in the report it sent to
the department of justice last month.
That report, it is learned, discussed the
situation only in broad terms and, apparently,
was not intended to be a document
on which Assistant Attorney General Thurman
Arnold would take any immediate,
definite action.
To considerable extent, it is believed, the
report was designed to form a basis on
which there could be further conversations
between the department of commerce
group and representatives of the industry.
It was sent to the department of justice,
apparently, so that Arnold could learn just
what the Hopkins group was doing.
Commerce officials are hopeful that by
the end of this month they can arrange
for new meetings with the industry, but in
unofficial circles it is suggested that their
efforts to reach an agreement with the industry
wiU be badly handicapped by the
uncompromising attitude of the justice department
toward the New York suit and
the unabated agitation for the enactment
of the Neely bill.
With hearings on the block-booking legislation
tentatively scheduled for next
month and the New York case due to go to
trial early in May. it is not believed in
Washington that the industry has either
the time or the inclination to digress into
more or less teclinical discussions with the
commerce department, which apparently
can have little or no effect on the two
issues with which it is preoccupied.
However, it is suggested, if the Neely
bill is defeated and some face-saving settlement
of the anti-trust suit reached, the
"big boys" will lose no time in hitting the
sawdust trail to Washington, to make a
real effort to develop trade practices universally
satisfactory and put an end to the
complaints which today have distributors
fighting with their backs to the wall.
Delays "Westerner"
Until 1940-41
New York—In order to insure wider
distribution for "The Westerner," UA is
holding over the picture as part of its
1940-41 lineup. Release has been in
doubt so long, little or no attempt was
made to sell it on the present schedule.
Since the picture is reported to cost
about $1,500,000, the company feels
maximum returns can better be realized
through delaying the release.
Better U. S. Takes
Is Hope—Mayer
Detroit—World War No. 2 was a blow
to evei-y studio on the coast and the only
way to overcome it is to hire more capable
production talent in order to make
bigger and better pictures which wHl gross
more in the domestic market, Louis B.
Mayer states.
He said that the problem still facing
the studios for the coming season is to
trim down studio costs around the edges
in months to come. "I don't mean in
budget costs but in general studio overhead
where hundreds of thousands of dollars
can be saved. But as far as actual
pictures are concerned we'll make everything
we think is entertainment. We'll
determine our budget, especially on top
product, as we come to each picture.
Naturally, if I feel that putting another
$200,000 or so into a picture will make it
much better, I will do so.
"So, despite the international situation,
big pictures, and we'll make even more of
them next year, will bring back profit in
1940-41 just as they are doing this year."
Mayer constantly referred to the present
record of "Gone With the Wind," during
his discussion. He pointed out the unheard
of grosses of "GWTW," how it is
expected now to get its production costs
back within six months, and how extended
playing time is being accorded it,
"all because it is doing business, and still
making money for every exhibitor playing
the picture."
Despite definite pronouncements of pro-
1 Continued on page 14)
"A Pattern for Future?"
Called Trade "Dream"
Detroit—Referring to "A Pattern for
the Future?," Boxoffice editorial of two
weeks ago. Louts B. Mayer, while here, observed
a division of production effort under
which majors would concentrate on major
product and leave the filler, or less, product
for companies designed to fill that market
requirement, is a dream and the Utopia of
the industry.
Because of the general pattern of "Gone
With the Wind" and other forthcoming
big pictures, the M-G-M production head
stated future product may be expected to
run two hours and beyond on the theory
this, eventually, will tend to eUminate double
features.
He added, however, that any plan, such
as was suggested editoriaUy, whereby distributors
would be content not to grab
every single theatre date might be difficult
to evolve, especially if the Neely bill becomes
law. Then, he said, the government
might attempt to regulate to whom the
companies can and cannot sell.

IT TOOK WARNER STUDI
TO PRO
Now the Same Shown
Makes possible its Sma
"Brilliantly conceived, superbly produced and masterfully
acted, this film should take rank as one of
the finest pictures of this or any year! Exhibitors
and the public alike will long remember this picture.
Completely absorbing drama at its best; it should
completely grip any audience from beginning to end
Edward G. Robinson gives what many will term the
finest performance of his career; and it adds new
laurels to the Warner Bros.' standard, as well as
representing a great achievement for everybody
connected with the picture. No audience can fail to
be stirred and thrilled !"
FUm Daily
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$:
EDV\i
ROBI
in a role sensaticH
he has played hik
"Attains epochal proportions ! Edward G. Robinson's
delineation of the German scientist is undoubtedly
his crowning achievement!" Boxoffice
"In the exceptional array of fine pictures which
have been presented to Hollywood preview audiences
during the past few weeks, 'Dr. Ehrlich's
Magic Bullet' moves immediately into the farthest
forerank as one of the greatest. It is a magnificent
picture, completely absorbing, tense, exciting drama,
with a production which is well-nigh flawless. Picture
unquestionably marks the turning point in the

SHOWMANSHIP
CE A ZOLA . .
\nship Brand
ing Successor!
career of Edward G. Robinson, who gives a performance
so superb that it ranks with the finest in history.
This is William Dieterle's finest directorial
effort to date, one which must be reckoned with when
the 1940 Academy awards are considered."
Hollywood Reporter
"Fine acting, superb direction, remarkable story telling
and a plus quantity of inspiration. 'Dr. Ehrlich'
will hold audiences spellbound!"
Daily Variety
"One of the greatest motion pictures in the whole
history of the screen! A stirring drama of vast
popular appeal! It is a film every theatre should be
proud to play!"
^""» Bulletin
IGER • Donald CRISP
iKDIETERLE
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
^
"A motion picture with all the attributes to make it
one of 1940's most auspicious screen triumphs. It is
a production that places Edward G. Robinson in the
niche with other truly
great actors!"
Showmen^ s Trade Review
"There is no question that it is splendid entertainment!
Everything that he has done in the past must
be forgotten, so perfectly has Robinson become the
scientist, Ehrlich."
Motion Picture Daily

c
nLo(lf.K4u,nnLn^%Iadn^
E
Published Every Saturday by
Associated
Publications
Editorial Offices: 9 Rockefeller Plaza, New
York City. Louis Rydell. Advertising Manager.
Wm. Ornstein, Eastern editor. Telehone
Columbus 5-6370, 5-6371, 5-6372.
Cable address: •Boxoffice, New York."
Wester/i Offices: 6404 Hollywood Blvd.,
Hollywood. Calif. Ivan Spear, Manager.
Telephone Gladstone 1186.
Publication Offices: 4804 E. 9th St., Kansas
City, Mo. Telephone Chestnut 7777.
Other Associated Publications: Boxoffice
BAROMETER, Boxoffice RECORDS,
Boxoffice PICTURE GUIDE, published
annually; THE MODERN THEATRE, published
monthly as a section of Boxoffice.
ALBANY—21-23 Walter Ave., M. Berrlgan.
ATLANTA— 1S3 Walton St.. Theatrical Printing
Co. Helen Hardy. Telephone JAckson 5331.
BOSTON— 14 Piedmont St., Brad Angler, New
England editor. Telephone Liberty 9305.
BUFFALO—The Courier-Express, W. E. Martin.
CHARLOTTE—The Observer. Mary B. Parham.
CHICAGO— 332 S. Michigan Ave., Eugene D. Rich.
Central editor. Telephone Wabash 4575.
CINCINNATI— 127 Tremont St., Ft. Thomas, Ky.,
Clara Hyde. Telephone Highland 1657.
CLEVELAND— 12S05 Cedar Road, Cleveland
Heights, Elsie Loeb. Telephone Fairmount 0046.
DALLAS— 210 5. Harwood, V. W. Cri.sp, Southwestern
editor. Telephone 7-3553.
DENVER—319 S. Clarkson St.. J. A. Rose. Telephone
Spruce 0318.
DES MOINES— 2150 Grand. Rene Clayton.
DETROIT— 424 Book Bldg., H. F. Reves. Telephone
Cadillac 90S5.
HOLLYWOOD— 6404 Hollywood Blvd., Ivan Spear,
Western editor. Telephone GLadstone 1186.
INDIANAPOLIS— 444 North Illinois St., Don R.
Rossiter.
KANSAS CITY— 4804 East Ninth St., Jesse Shlyen.
Midwest Telephone CHestnut editor. 7777.
LITTLE ROCK—P. O. Box 253, Lynn Hubbard.
Telephone 3-0156.
MEMPHIS— 399 So. Second St., Carolyne Miller.
MILWAUKEE— 210 East Michigan St., H. C.
Brunner. Telephone Kilbourn 6670-J.
MINNEAPOLIS—507 Essex Bldg., Maurice Wolff.
NEW HAVEN-42 Church St., Suite 915, Gertrude
Pearson. Telephone 6-4149.
NEW ORLEANS— 1136 Behrman Ave., J. W
Leigh.
NEW YORK CITY— 9 Rockefeller Plaza, Williani
Ornstein. Eastern editor. Telephone Columbus
5-6370, 5-6371, 5-6372.
OKLAHOMA CITY— P. O. Box 4547, E. W. Fair.
Telephone 7-1038.
OMAHA— 4677 Marcy St., Monte Davis.
PHILADELPHIA — 903 Manning St., Jo.seph
Sha Tele
PITTSBURGH— 1701 Blvd. of the Allies. R. F.
Klingensmith. Telephone Atlantic 4868.
PORTLAND. ORE.— 404 Pacific Bldg., Robert L.
Thomas.
ST. LOUIS—5149 Rosa Ave., David F. Barrett.
Telephone Flanders 3727.
SALT LAKE CITY—167 South State St.. Viola B.
Hutton. Telephone WAsatch 16 5.
SAN FRANCISCO— 600 Grant Bldg., 1095 Market
St., Al Scott. Telephone Market 6580.
SEATTLE— 2321 Second Ave.. Joe Cooper. Telephone
MAln 771 G.
WASHINGTON— 1426 G St., Earle A. Dyer.
IN CANADA
CALGARY. ALTA.—The Albertan, Wm. Campbell.
EDMONTON, ALTA.--The Bulletin, W. A. DeGraves.
HAMILTON, O.—20 Holton Ave., N., Hugh Millar.
LONDON, O.— 97 Adelaide St., S., John Gore.
MONTREAL, QUEBEC— 4330 Wilson Ave.. N. D. G.,
Roy Carmlchael. Telephone Walnut 5519.
REGINA, SASK.— 7 Crescent Annex, Andy Mc-
Dermott.
ST. JOHN. N. B.— 101 Prince.ss St., D. Fetherston.
TORONTO. ONTARIO— 242 Millwood Road, Milton
Galbraith.
VANCOUVER, B. C— 015 Hastings, C. P. Rutty.
VICTORIA, B. C— 434 Quebec St., Tom Merrlman.
WINNIPEG, MAN.—709 Selkirk Ave., Ben Lepkln.
'UT of the mailbag
Any exhibitor feeling the Neely bill
will not be advantageous to him, don't
know what would be good. And one
preferring to continue under the heels
of the producers and distributors as
has been, God help him.
This writer will ask you and any exhibitor
to show how the Neely bill will
hurt, not generalities cloaked in the
dark-like item on the other side of this
paper but real honest-to-God facts.
[He refers to the editorial, "Are You
Ready for It?" published on January
27.]
What other business sells pigs, in a
poke and demands as has been in the
picture game? Of course, you know
what side of your bread is buttered,
so you now think, and as smart as
you think you are, you are badly mistaken.
Which would be better for
you: 100 producers or 10 as now glut
the business with rotten product and
demands, with little or no redress
whereas the Neely bill will remedy all
this by throwing production open to
any one wanting to produce and good
productions will get the business besides
putting the producers out of the
exhibition end of the business.
Now, I repeat. What other game is
controlled in such a rotten way as this,
picture game? Come out clean-cut
now. But dare you? I feel you won't
dare. How about it? Boosting the
Neely bill will help you and the business
all the way around and not to
stay in the same old rut, dominated
and bulled as the other side of this
paper advises.
If the Neely bill is licked, God help
the independent exhibitor and such as
you. You will have to take only what
offered. Worse and worse things will
is
be. Can you not see straight now
and act as this says? Be candid.
Speaking of Candor
This tirade from Pittsburgh beats
its wings against what was largely
a reprint of a speech made by H. M.
Richey before the ITO of West Virginia.
As a preface, it was clearly
pointed out, or so it seemed, that
those who got any benefits from the
column must direct their applause
to Richey. Their raspberries, too,
by the way.
At any rate, and if you don't mind
our saying so, we're much more in
the open than the irate writer. We're
printing his remarks. He didn't
even have the guts to sign his letter.
f- i^ikLrt-Wvv.
N O doubt it will come as no surprise
for Abram F. Myers to learr.
he occupies a sort of vacuui:.
with his peer into the future of theatre
operation. In his address before
the Screen Writers' Guild, he re
marked at one point:
In a few years that sacred first run
revenue the major companies have
been trying so desperately to protect,
will no longer be worth the effort.
The biggest intake will be in the residential
districts and s.uburbs, and they
will play day-and-date with downtown
because it would be foolish
to give protection to a house that is
losing money over one that is making
money. And you may be certain that
these neighborhood and small town
houses ore going to select their product;
they are not going to run whatever
Hollywood sees fit to send them.
They will pick and choose with the
best of them. And do not think that
this, great change can be halted by
blind opposition to the Neely bill.
With or without the Neely bill it will
come to pass. But, if the Neely bill
is rejected in its present form or in
such improved form as might be
worked out with your assistance, these
reforms may be imposed as a result
of harsher, less, elastic measures. Allied
States Association has been a power
for moderation in the Neely camp. I
shudder to think what the next antiblock
booking bill will look like if the
present bill is defeated as a result of
the campaign of falsehoods being
waged against it.
Pulling Whose Leg?
Passing by the Neely angles and
alighting fleetingly on the other,
does Myers seriously believe the
day will come when, in New York
for instance, the Willard near Jamaica
will play day-and-date with
the Capitol on Broadway? Or the'
the former will outdistance the la'.
ter in gross, thereby persuading tlv:
Loew circuit to abandon its shov,
window for parity with one of it:.
neighborhood theatres?
Come, come! Hollywood writers
may be taken in by this. No one
beyond San Bernardino will.
Slightly Scrambled
"Abe Lincoln in Illinois" opens its
New York run at the Music Hall on
Washington's Birthday.
If anything, this proves motion
pictures and history are only chance
acquaintances.
BOXOFFICE :: February 17, 1940

When CHARLES LAUGHTON sings it! . .
and VIVIEN LEIGH swings it!
WOW!!
• Your chance to get the year's
greatest star discovery, Vivien Leigh
. . . together for the first time with
the screen's supreme character
actor, Charles Laughton— in the
show that's got everything—singing,
dancing, drama, and a love
story that hits straight at the heart I
CHARLES
LAUGHTON
VIVIEN LEIGH
^^^
A Heart-Stirring Heart-stirnng Drama urama of or Peace- reace-iime Time London.' Lonaon:
SiDEWAlKSOFlONDON ##
•5>with
REX HARRISON • Screen Play by Clenience Dane • Directed by TIM WHELAN
/iiljit.
Produced by ERICH POMMER • A Pommer-Laughton "Mayflower" Production 'P§1^}
A Paramount Release

Goddard Cracks Down
On Gov't
Counsel
• Continued from page 4i
submitted by the government on March 1
to the consolidated interrogatories served
by the other seven defendants. The judge
declined to accept briefs until a further
discussion was held with him.
When Farnsworth indicated that supplying
an additional set of answers to Columbia
would create "a burdensome task
upon the government," Judge Goddard answered
that in so important a case the
defendants were entitled to what information
could be secured to prepare their defense.
After informing Frohlich that "your associates
are passing the buck to the court"
on the question of the interrogatories, the
bench privately told Farnsworth it did not
approve of the arbitrary attitude on part
of the government. He then again asked
for cooperation from both sides, adding
"do your best to get together. If you do
it in that spirit maybe Columbia will take
less."
Jack Cohn, vice-president of Columbia,
was the second witness to be examined before
trial. His brother, Harry, was the
first. Tlie hearing took place after the
arguments on motions before Judge Goddard.
With Robert L. Wright, assistant to
the attorney general, conducting the examination,
the Columbia executive was
asked many questions previously put to his
brother. However, the government tried
develop information as to contracts the
to
company had with major circuits and independents
in 36 key cities.
Much of the information was passed up
for Abe Montague to answer as general
sales manager. A brief outline on his history
in the business was given by Cohn,
as well as the operations of the handling
of the contracts by his company.
Particularly, the government wanted to
know what difficulty Columbia had experienced
with "pools" and how the company
sold selective first run contracts in
each territory.
"Have you at any time considered the
advisability of acquiring any interest in
theatres?" Cohn was asked. The question
was objected to and Frohlich instructed
the witness not to answer. This is the
same question which caused quite a bit of
excitement when it was put to Harry Cohn.
Jack said he held some stock in Pox
Theatres, Roxy Theatre Corp.. Paramount
and Loew's, "but nothing to amount to
much." He said he had had these stocks
for years, had put them away and would
have to check with the Columbia comptroller
to find out all his holdings.
Which brought a cryptic statement from
Frohlich, who said, "That's part of a conspiracy."
He later, in advising Cohn not
to answer, declared. "That doesn't make
any part of a conspiracy."
Government counsel Wednesday examined
William A. Scully, general sales
manager for Universal, regarding his company's
ability to get first-run playing time.
Scully reported no trouble, except in New
Orleans where Universal now has a spot
booking deal with the Orpheum. Charles
R. Rogers, former Universal production
Trial Date May Be Set
But Doubt Gov't Ready
'Continued from page 4i
to limit his testimony to any particular
issue."
Much of the information in the hands
of the government is "hearsay," the Farnsworth
affidavit states. "No defendant
could afford to limit its investigation to
the government's characterization of the
witnesses' testimony as it might appear at
the trial that the government had been
misinformed."
Columbia has been playing a lone hand
in filing interrogatories and requests for
answers, the contention of counsel being it
is an independent company and the only
relation it has with other companies is actually
doing business with them. UA
started to proceed this way in its answers,
but of late has been joining with the others
in filing consolidated replies. However,
Edward C. Raftery of counsel for the
company holds this is to facilitate matters
and not an indication that UA will not
act independently at the trial.
Universal, the third theatreless distributor,
has more or less joined forces with
counsel for M-G-M, Warner, Paramount,
RKO and 20th-Pox.
The guns in the pending suits are expected
to pop March 1 when the government
submits its answers to the consolidated
distributor interrogatories. It is
then when a list of those who have relevant
facts about the complaints and theatres
involved are to be made known; also
the independent producers who have complained
to the government.
Columbia Drive Quota
On a Two-Year Average
New York—The campaign quota for
each Columbia branch in the Montague
Fifteenth Anniversary Campaign which got
under way over the weekend for 12 weeks,
represents the average yearly billings of
the two years from July 3, 1937 to June
30, 1939.
Based on billings, the following awards
will be made to managers, salesmen, office
managers and bookers of the 12 branches
accomplishing the greatest improvement in
billings at the conclusion of the drive:
First prize, two weeks salary; second
prize, two weeks salary; third and fourth
places, one and a half weeks salary; fifth
and sixth places, one weeks salary; seventh
and eighth places, three-quarter weeks
salary; ninth and tenth places, two-thirds
weeks salary; eleventh and twelfth places,
one-half weeks salary.
In addition to the national awards,
there will be additional awards of one
weeks salary to the manager of the leading
branch in each division. This award
will be based on billings only during the
drive. There will also be personal awards
to bookers for short subjects and serial
billings, as well as accessory managers.
The campaign committee comprises Rube
Jackter, chairman; Max J. Weisfeldt, Louis
Weinberg, Maurice Grad, George Josephs,
Louis Astor and H. C. Kaufman.
head, will not be called to testify before
trial. RKO executives are slated to appear
next week.
AA Takes Over 21
Poster
Renters
New York—With the outright purchase
of 21 independent poster renters by Advertising
Accessories, complete unification of
the production and distribution of display
materials has been achieved for the first
time in the industry, according to Charles
L. Casanave, AA vice-president and general
manager. The deals, all of which were
made on an individual basis, embrace all
important cities in the country.
With this latest phase in the development
of the newly formed National Screen
subsidiary goes the dissolution of the National
Poster Service Ass'n, comprising
independent renter units that have existed
in many instance for 25 years. The
organization held a three-day convention
at the Hotel New Yorker here, the outgrowth
of which was the deal concluded
by AA. Casanave declares the convention
delegates, as well as their executive
committee and president, Simon Libros of
Philadelphia, voted "overwhelmingly" in
favor of absorption into AA.
The acquisition of the poster renters
provides that the "majority" of their personnel
be retained. Casanave declares. As
given out by the AA general manager, this
is the list of renters, the areas they cover
and their operators, which have been taken
over
Albany—Theatre Display Company, H Rah
nowitz and John Bylamcyk.
Atlanta— Exrhange, Poster Inc.
Buffalo—Economic Poster Exchange, Goldstein
J.
and F. Wyckoff.
Charlotte—Carolina Poster Exchange, Inc.. V-
Beddingfieia.
Chicago—Photoplay Advertising Service, J.
Bloom and H. Porozynski; Chicago Poster Exchange.
I. Sokoloff.
Cincinnati—Theatre Poster Service, William
Bein.
Cleveland—Exhibitors Poster Service, Leroy and
Phil Kendis.
Dallas—Texas Poster Exchange. Dallas Poster
Exchange and Allied Poster Exchange, Harry
Harris.
Des Moines—National Poster Exchange, Inc., I.
Sokoloff.
netroil— Cinema Service, G. Le Veque.
Incliiinai>olis—Movie Poster Exchange. H. T.
' T. Liebtag.
Kansas City — Premier Advertising Service,
Charles Burns and Raymond Crandal, and Theatre
Poster Exchange, Homer Blackwell.
New Orleans—Rex Poster Exchange, Inc.. S. R.
New Haven—Mutual Advertising Service, H. Wen-
New ifork—Progr 5ive Poster Exchange, Inc.,
Weinzimer and H. Egert, and Exhibitors Pos-
,.
3r .Supply Co.. Inc.. H. Schlitt and S. Bram.
Aiinneapolis—Exhibitors Poster Service, Inc., J.
Philadelphia—National Kline Poster Co..
and S. Libros.
Pittsburgh—Independent Display Co., D,
teld,
St. Louis—Photopli Advertising
Bloom and H. Porozynski
Washington—D. C. Po
Co..
Ginsberg to Paramount
As Aide to Freeman
Hollywood—Henry Ginsberg, long with
Hal Roach and more recently vice-president
and general manager of Selznick International,
in about a week joins Paramount
as assistant to Y. Frank Freeman.
Allied Date Not Set
Boston—No specific date has been set
for the next regional meeting of Allied
States Association.
10 BOXOFFICE : : February 17, 1940

i
beck's
Predicts Cycle of
Films Wilh 'Guts'
New York—An "economic revolution"
stemming from "The Grapes of Wrath"
and inducing the production of "pictures
with guts" is taking place quietly in Hollywood,
writes Sidney Skolsky in his Hollywood
column appearing here in the New
York Post. He believes the film based on
the Steinbeck novel will wield "a tremendous
influence in Hollywood" and continues:
"Offhand. I can think of no picture that
will influence picture making as much. I
am excepting those pictures which brought
about technical changes, such as 'The Birth
of a Nation.' the first talking picture, 'The
Jazz Singer' and the first genuine Technicolor
picture. 'The Grapes of Wrath," without
any innovation in the technical department,
will alter the style of pictures
to be produced,"
It has already changed Darryl F. Zanuck's
attitude. Skolsky reports. "He is
looking for stories that say something; he
wants to make pictures with guts. He is
considering doing a picture about Stalin
and is searching for another problem of
the American scene to present on the
screen ... Of course, .some diehards are
saying, 'Let's wait and see what it does
throughout the country. The people want
entertainment' I have faith in the country
and I believe 'The Grapes of Wrath' is entertainment,"
the columnist continues.
"Producers for a long time have been
parading under a banner labeled 'Entertainment'
and don't know what the word
means. Anything that is light and silly
and doesn't make an audience think is supposed
to be entertainment. I have seen
many pictures loaded with the surefire ingredients
of entertainment that were as
dull as dishwater.
"One of the few objections to 'The
Grapes of Wrath' from the escapist critics
is that it is a problem picture and movie
audiences don't want problems. This is
the bunk. Many of the hit pictures that
Joan Crawford appeared in were problem
pictures.
"They [in Hollywood] are going to make
fewer and better pictures. Many of the
established producers, who are smug in
their ov\ti success and have held the movies
oack. are on their way out. 'The Grapes of
Wrath' is an important picture that came
ilong at the crucial time. It should help
he motion picture industry as much as it
vill lielp the migratory workers."
Grapes" Draws 150,261 to
V. Y. Rivoli First IG Days
New York—During the first 16 days of
ts run at the Rivoli on Broadway, "The
irapes of Wrath" is credited by 20th Cenury-Fox
with having drawTi 150,261 custoners.
The house seats 2,092.
Here's the way the company breaks
own the daily attendance:
January 24 11,499
January 25 10,565
January 26 9,769
January 27 12,717
January 28 11,719
January 29 8,812
January 30 9,115
January 31 8,911
DXOmCE :
SPEAKING
OF
PICTURES .
Uartin Quiglc;
cars has bclal
with one idea.
Thi
pure entertainment, should li;ivc
s .s^iould 1)C
no truck \vith social,
political or economic concepts. In his Motion
Picture Herald and Motion Picture Daily he has
insisted that film makers arc showmen, must never
be teachers or reformers. Since Mr. Quigley coauthored
the Hays code and supports the powerful
Catholic Legion of Decency, his idea has, in the
minds of many, been a ponderable factor in keeping
movies tri\-iai
and imadult.
This warfare of Quigl -^''^fTical films has
broken out anew with
The Grapes of
Mc';n„ Picture Da.
";"«'•«. No. J
ological sufif
mistake... in
To Author Steinbeck
fense rushed critics, col
. THESE BV LIFE
PROVE FACTS IN
GRAPES OF fVRATH'
acclaimed The Crapes of Wrath "a masterpiece," "a
work of genius," "a great American motion picture."
In the New York Times. Frank S.
Mr. Quigley 's
Nugent deplored
belief "that the motion picture must
hide its head like an ostrich to be monarch of all it
surveys."
In the New York Post. Ernest L. Meyer
feared Mr. Quigley would leave for the films only
fairy tales, mysteries, thin men. gangsters, gunmen
and "the two Mickeys, Rooney and Mouse." In
lioioMcc, riva^ trade paper edited b y Maurice
ClJL

-AMUAILMCORDS GO "{^^B^l///:^ AT WflVl
V Critics
fi€€im.U ft^/i^-^eMoSi £e€i4ii/f^ 'ht tec/'t/nieolc/i
|
^ \\
The mosf enchanting film ever
brought to the screen. Will
appeal to all types and ages
of people. Far superior to any*
thing Disney has ever done.
Hurry over to the Center Theatre
— pronto! —Kate Cameron^ News
A compound of imagination and
craftsmanship, beauty and eloquence
to be found only in
great works of art . . . endless
\i ^ i
succession of humorous incior
. . . sure
touc^ of comic geiii
Another Disney masterpiece
—Howard Barnes, Herald-Trii}
As brilliant
White... Disney's
as was his Jo
PINOd*
is twice as inspiring . . . hef
accomplished the astonifiil
feat of out-Disneying Dim
himself. "^ %
—Rose Pelswick, Journal-)m'n

^ery bit €g fine as we had its praises. Don't miss it! Really
pyed it wcjjjd be, if not ftjer grand and happy stuff!
Superior W Snow White Q..
—tee A4orf/mer, Mirror
I best thing Disney has doriK^ } ^ , r i i
. -Frank Nugenf, T/mefi
^
^f pure, unadulterated genius.
ig^ut the i^ews¥^ . . Walt Has a higher percentage of
jine^Uias not onlyi|iatched pleasure for aduFts than any-
Lt ha^^utdistanced Snow thing Disney has ever done.
fiite. RJIIi^ommended unreilvedly
rQ| yoi3|^ and old will be acceptable.
No excuse for not seeing it
i|:e. Will ledve jmf amazed
\
—Archer Winsten, Post
^
Disney's timeless genius.
It is hard ta think of
-Wm. anyone who
Boehnel, WorldJ^elegram
wouldn't like to see it twice at
Wjien you go to see
tlOCCHIO forget all about
ilw White ... it is f^r superior
Absofutely perfect and a work
least.. .A screen classic
for adults
as well as juvenile audiences.
This twentieth century still has
reason for rejoicing ... it has
Disney!
—Eileen Cree/man, Sun
is GREAT CENTER THEATRE!
Walt Disney Produclio
/

'
Nine New Suits In,
8 Out Since Jan. 1
(Continued from page 5)
Rome and majors, which has resulted in a
change of clearance favorable to the plaintiff.
Herman Weingarten of the Surf and
Cameo, Miami, withdrew his action with
the sale of the houses to Wometco, a defendant
with the majors.
Frank Ford of the Stadium, Evanston,
mw,
Fields of the Cameo, Jersey City, N. J., the
filing of an anti-trust suit against the
Skouras circuit and majors is in the hands
of George P. Skouras. Ellis is trying to
the Cameo play M-G-M
get Skouras to let
product not dated by Skouras' Pulton. If
this is permitted, the Cameo would move
up ahead of a number of Skouras' subsequent
runs.
Following closely on the heels of the recent
Westway, Baltimore, victory, the
majors were handed another favorable order
when the Philadelphia circuit court of
appeals set aside a temporary injunction
granted by Judge Kirkpatrick in the Lan-
Better U. S. Grosses
Is the Hope-Mayer
(Continued from page 5)
duction budgets, there is always a flexible
leeway on the M-G-M lot that is of more
importance. This, in the opinion of Mayer,
is what is primarily responsible for the
many big productions his company turns
out.
Thus the production head of M-G-M
explained in leading up to his pronouncement
here while attending the world premiere
of "Young Tom Edison," that while
annua! budgets may be announced at
M-G-M sales conventions, they are more
or less only guiding figures to go by and
dis, Vineland, N. J., anti-trust suit. Tlie
111., closed with 20th-Fox and M-G-M and circuit court held the enjoinder was prematurely
issued.
eliminated them and B&K from an antitrust
action.
The Lenrose Amusement
Some time ago. Judge Knight in Buffalo
Co. of Newark,
refused to grant the government an injunction
restraining the Schines from reopen-
which sought $150,000 damages, and Mobeel
Enterprises of Brooklyn, asking for
ing closed theatres, acquiring new ones and not absolute requirements.
$75,000 in triple damages, were discontinued
after some months. Major counsel
have yet been studied very thoroughly but
building others.
As for 1940-41, Mayer said that no plans
states "less than $2,500 was paid in the Oral arguments have been concluded in
that the announced budget will be somewhere
in the neighborhood of that for
settlements." In both cases, inability to Nashville on the distributors' demands for
secure product was charged.
a bill of particulars in the Crescent case.
this season, $42,500,000. "And despite the
Although a settlement appears imminent,
the Harry Fried suit against the After 178 days, testimony has been com-
spend aU we announced for this year, if
A decision is being awaited.
European situation," he said, "we will
majors and Warner in connection with his pleted in Boston in the Morse & Rothenberg
suit which has been pending for "Our main problem is to make pictures,"
not more, on our pictures."
three Main Line theatres in subsequent
Philadelphia areas may yet come to trial. three years. A special master will make he said. "And as long as we have the
Fried has been in New York negotiating his recommendation shortly at which time merchandise we are not afraid of whether
terms. It is understood arrangements had it may be decided to have the case heard the distribution department will get it
been completed for Paramount and Columbia
product to be released by Warner and From Beatrice. Neb., is a report Frank big pictures will always get more extended
by a jury.
back or not. War or no war, we feel that
given to Fried, but the plaintiff is demanding
"better terms."
New Pix, is contemplating an anti-trust but because the smart exhibitor, himself,
Hollingsworth, who recently acquired the playing time. Not because we ask for it,
While progress continues in the negotiations
by Emil K. Ellis, attorney for Jack plaining about lack of product.
that is getting him money."
action against Fox Midwest. He is com-
wUl extend the playing time of product
Touching briefly on the Neely bill, Mayer
said that such legislation is primarily bad
for the smaller exhibitors in the business
and would not be as harmful to the major
studios. "We'll continue to make big
pictures and ones such as 'Ninotchka,'
'Northwest Passage,' 'Young Tom Edison,'
and the many other big ones we have coming—and
we have more big ones than all
the rest put together—can get playdates
under block booking or any other plan of
distribution in the industry."
Mayer in talking to local reporters during
his visit here, toik time to scotch
charges that the industry in Hollywood
had a strong leftist taint and that its
propaganda was aimed almost exclusively
at fascism and naziism and not at communism.
"Those charges are stupid," he said. "As
a matter of fact, M-G-M has made one
picture aimed at communism, 'Ninotchka
After all that has been said in that picture,
there is nothing more to say on that
subject."
oardCROMWELL-dorisDAY-georgeBARBIER.
RADIOS BRIGHTEST STARS • A Republic Picture
WiUard Patterson Rites
Are Held in Atlanta
Atlanta — Funeral services were held
here Saturday for Willard C. Patterson,
who died at Palm Springs, Calif., Monday
from tuberculosis. Long in exhibition and
latterly a Warner theatre executive in
charge of labor, Patterson was well known.
Surviving is Mrs. Patterson, the former
Anna Aiken who, for years, was publisher
and editor of the Weekly Film Review, a
publication consolidated in 1930 with Boxoffice.
Nat Fellman of the Warner theatre staff
represented the company at the services.
BOXOFTICE :: February 17, 1940

!
the
I
from
:
tions
'
strengthening
. . . Through
,Ai__
. . One
Charges
Hollywood
Aided Left Wingers
New York—"Through an examination
of bank accounts and sworn statements
of former officials and organizers who had
charge to some extent of the collection of
funds from Hollywood, it can be established
beyond any doubt that large sums of money
have been collected by the Communist
Party from party members, sympathizers,
fellow travelers and dupes connected with
the film Industry."
This is Representative Martin Dies
again. The chairman of the House Committee
on Un-American activities comes to
the fore once more in a second article in
Liberty, this one entitled "Is Communism
Invading the Movies?" His initial effort
was dubbed "The Reds in Hollywood."
Dies says the party began a concentrated
drive in Hollywood in 1934. when it realized
the potential value of the industry from
both a financial and a propaganda standpoint.
The Tom Mooney case, he adds,
"served as an entering wedge, to which
many of the Hollywood actors and writers
gave large sums of money and permitted
their names to be used."
Communist Organizes Groups
A Communist Party member whom Dies
nicknames "Jolin Roe" was able "to start
the organization of sympathetic Hollywood
professional people into small groups
the year 1935 these groups
grew to number 42 professional people
from the Hollywood district. They were
later divided into eight study groups, each
group having a party discussion leader who
discussed Communist Party theory and
ways of increasing the party membership
and party financial contributions from the
Hollywood area."
Dies goes on to describe a party meeting
in August, 1936, which Earl Browder attended.
Tlie latter is said to have "wanted
to use the meeting as the basis for the collection
of a $10,000 campaign fund from
the Hollywood party members and sympathizers.
This meeting was organized and
held at a home in Hollywood. Present were
some prominent actors and screen writers,
the majority of whom were members of the
organized groups. Incidentally, it can be
established by qualified witnesses that the
members of these groups brought Communist*
Party stamps under instructions
from the Communist Party to destroy
them."
In July or August, 1936, Dies continues,
the Central Committee of the Communist
Party sent to Los Angeles one of its principal
cultural organizers who he claims has
contributed often to the party's writings,
"He was assigned to Los Angeles to increase
both the party's revenue and its
numerical strength in the Hollywood area.
He replaced 'John Roe' and he took over
organization and collection of funds
Hollywood. He was under instrucnot
only to bring about a general
of the party's organization
in the Hollywood district, but also to devote
special attention to the development
of cultural organizations such as the Hollywood
Anti-Nazi League and to tradeunion
problems. He was also instructed to
conduct an intensive campaign among the
Studio Shrug Greets
New Dies Blast
Hollywood — "Take your best hold"
apparently reflects Hollywood's unoflicial
reaction to Martin Dies' most recent
threat to "expose Hollywood."
The extended press statement issued
by the Texas congressman on Thursday
had even less immediate effect on
the film capital than did his signed
articles in "Liberty" Magazine. Producers,
individually and as an organization,
chose to ignore the latest blast,
while liberal organizations took it in
stride as they proceeded apace with
their plans for concerted and elaborate
refutation of the Dies charges.
craftsmen employed in the different
studios."
After liquidation of the more loosely organized
groups "the Communist Party organization
in Los Angeles followed a definite
policy of attempting to influence the
production of pictures so as to prevent any
anti-Communist pictures," Dies says. "On
a number of occasions 'John Roe' discu.ssed
with leading members of the Hollywood
groups what their attitude would be,
and on some occasions he would obtain
their assistance in stopping, or in trying
to stop, such production . of the
purposes of the Communist groups was to
endeavor to prepare the manuscripts and
select the casts wherever possible. They
did everything in their power to encourage
the production of anti-Nazi pictures."
It is the declared belief of Dies that the
Communists succeeded to "some extent" in
spreading subtle propaganda through the
media of certain films, "so cleverly done
that it was difficult for the average man
to detect." The strategy. Dies says, was
the continual stressing of the weak points
of the American system without giving due
credit to its accomplishments and the emphasis
of the "defects of our political and
economic systems."
Dies urges the "responsible leaders of
the great film industry to cooperate with
us and to clean their house of un-American
influences. Films must cease to be
used as the vehicle for the dissemination
of the Marxian views. While it is undoubtedly
true," he concludes, "that the
great majority of actors, screen writers,
and producers are patriotic Americans,
and that most of the motion pictures
which have been produced are free of im-
American propaganda, there is no occasion
for the production of any motion picture
the subtle effect of which is to encourage
or promote Socialism or Communism."
No More "GWTW" Dates
Until End of March
New York—M-G-M sales executives say
the current 200 engagements of "Gone
With the Wind" in addition to another
156 bookings that are due to open within
the next six weeks precludes the possibility
of taking any more dates on the film until
the end of March, at which time it is expected
prints presently in work will be
available.
Due to the high cost of Technicolor
prints, said to run about $1,100 each, the
number is being pegged at about 350.
Reports Attendance
Is on the Way Up
New York—Theatre attendance in the
last few weeks has picked up around the
country with resultant optimism reflecting
in company quarters, according to the Wall
Street Journal, usually well-informed financial
newspaper.
The paper reports film men "believe
there is a good chance that the turn has
finally come after a long period of rather
indifferent attendance" and declares the
unprecedented gross of "Gone With the
Wind" in 27 key cities "is in part responsible."
A pickup aside from this one
attraction, however, also is cited.
"Another more cheerful factor is that
the foreign situation is getting no worse
and income, while down, is not so bad as
some had feared," states the story. "Paramount,
which has more theatres in the
United States than any of its competitors,
has suffered a smaller percentage decline
in gross income than most of its rivals.
Earnings for 1939 are expected to be close
to the level of 1938, or around $4,000,000,
equal to about $1 a common share. Paramount
has under way a program of producing
several films in England which, if
completed without interruption, will provide
a number of pictures at lower than
domestic cost.
"Twentieth Century-Fox, which earned
$1.20 a share on its common stock for the
nine months (39 weeks) ended September
30, is unlikely to add very much net per
share for the common in the December
quarter. The current three months, with
better business abroad and at home, should
bring profits back closer to normal.
'Grapes of Wrath.' the company's latest
big release, has had fine reviews and is
apparently one of the big pictures of the
season.
"Warner Bros, currently is doing well
with its 'Fighting 69th' and it is hoped
the February quarter should be somewhat
better than the November period
when earnings were equal to 14 cents on
the common.
"Loew's reported 71 cents a share on Its
common stock for the quarter ended November
23. which included two of the
worst war months. Allowing for slightly
better foreign income since then and for
'Gone With the Wind' profits. Loew's
might very well show $1 to $1.25 a share
for the period ending in February."
Para. Partners Discuss
Neely Offensive
Miami Beach—Paramount theatre
partners
and home office executives, in meeting
here, sought to develop means of fighting
the Neely bill. General theatre problems
of specific interest to the company
also were on the agenda.
Present were Barney Balaban, who has
been vacationing here: Austin C. Keough,
Sam Dembow, Leon D. Netter, Leonard
Goldensen and Monty Gowthorpe.
Boston Probes Beano
Boston—The City Council is investigating
Beano here. The group plans more
rigid regulation.
BOXOmCE :
: February 17, 1940 I
14-A

New Group in Ilaly
Gets Film Control
'39 Proves Biggest
U.S. Year in Japan
Rome—Control of the Italian film industry
has shifted from ENIC to ENAIPE, the
National Organization for the Acquisition
and Importation of Foreign Films, as a result
of the law passed by the council of
ministers on January 22. The present
measure strongly modifies the monopoly
decree of September, 1938.
The new law places the power of pricefixing
and import restrictions in the hands
of the council of administration of the
ENAIPE subject to approval by the ministry
for popular culture.
Under the law, Italian distributors are
allowed to negotiate for foreign films
within the quota set by the ENAIPE. Each
distributor is allocated a certain number
and all contracts must be approved by the
new monopoly organization.
The governing body consists of a representative
from the following ministries:
Foreign trade and exchange; popular culture;
finance; corporations; Italian Africa,
and the national entertainment federation.
Head of the council will be nominated by
the ministry of foreign trade and culture.
Reorganization Easement
Sought in New Bill
Albany—Easing of the restrictions for
reorganizations by corporations barred
from new financing or expansion under
the burdens of unpaid dividends on preferred
stock is sought in a bill introduced
in the assembly by Harry A. Reoux, chairman
of the assembly judiciary committee.
Under the measure, state courts would
have the authority to approve corporate
reorganizations in cases where preferred
shareholders have assumed control of a
company because of dividend defaults.
And, unless more than a third of the stockholders
filed obiections in WTiting, reorganization
in which both common and preferred
stocks were concerned would be
allowed.
The bill is designed to affect corporations
financially sound and thus unable
to reorganize in federal courts, but whose
corporate structure is complicated because
preferred stockholders have control and
cannot relinquish that control under stock
issue contracts without unanimous consent.
John J. O'Connor at Helm
n/ Catholic Drive Grout)
New York—John J. O'Connor of RKO
heads the 1940 committee for the motion
picture and amusement industries to aid
the Annual Catholic Charity Drive. The
drive is sponsored by the archbishop's
committee of which Alfred E. Smith is
chairman and Prank C. Walker, treasurer.
Invitations to serve on the committee
have been accepted by the following:
Harry D. Buckley, UA; H. M. Doherty,
Warner; Austin C. Keough. Paramount;
Charles L. O'Reilly, Sanitary Automatic
Candy Co.; Martin Quigley, Nate J. Blumberg
and William A. Scully, Universal;
George C. Walsh, Netco theatres; Jack
Pegler, Lord & Thomas; James R, Grainger,
Republic; J. A. McConville, Columbia,
and Charles B. McDonald, RKO.
Ik
•
Brought Cheery Picture—
Ben Miggins. contmental vianager for
20th Century-Fox, ivho is 7ww in New
York. His optimistic word picture of
above-average theatre business in England
was welcome news to headquarters
staffs.
Competitor to Ascap
Comes Into Being
New York—Broadcast Music, Inc., a
new organization, has entered the field of
licensing music for public performance as
a competitor to the American Society of
Composers, Authors and Publishers, which
for 25 years has been dominant in this
sphere.
General cooperation of the broadcasting
industry is assured by stock subscriptions
and license fee pledges totaling $1,140,375,
with additional forthcoming contracts
making certain a minimum collection of
$1,250,000.
Cash and contracts are in from 246
radio stations, or more than 90 per cent
of those which participated in meetings
throughout the country to gain support
for the plan.
NAB,
Neville Miller, president of the
head the new company, while Sydney
will
M. Kaye, copyright authority, was elected
vice-president and general counsel at a
meeting here attended by: John Elmer,
president of Baltimore Broadcasting Corp.;
Lenox R. Lohr, president of National
Broadcasting Co., Inc.; Edward Klauber,
executive vice-president of Columbia
Broadcasting System, Inc.; Samuel R.
Rosenbaum, president of WPTL Broadcasting
Co., Philadelphia; John Shepard III,
president of the Yankee network, Boston,
and Everett R. Revercomb, NAB auditor.
According to Miller, BMI expects to
work in closest cooperation with all users
of music other than radio, including motion
picture producers, theatre owners,
orchestras, recording companies, hotels
and restaurants.
The company is now engaged in developing
operating plans and will begin
licensing music on April 1.
New Interboro House
New York—Plans are being drawn up
for a new stadium-type house to be built
in the Myrtle Ave. Navy Yard district of
Brooklyn for Interboro circuit.
New York—Wonder what Confucius
would say to this?
A check shows 1939 was the best for
major distributors in Japan. At the present
time, over 7,000,000 yen, approximately
$1,750,000, are frozen there because of the
refusal of the government to grant permits
for remittances. And the amount is
increasing steadily because business is
good.
Under an agreement made in 1939, another
3,000,000 yen, around $700,000, are
stored without interest in the Yokohama
Specie bank in San Francisco and cannot
be delivered until 1941.
Home office executives report mixed reactions
from their representatives. Some
are hopeful, others downright pessimistic.
With relations between the two countries
at a straining point, chances for getting
any of the much-needed money out appear
slimmer than ever.
Latin-American Trips Keep
Foreign Heads Hopping
New York—Latin-American trips are
keeping the foreign managers hopping.
Columbia's vice-president in charge of
foreign distribution. Joseph A. McConville,
sails Friday for an extended survey.
McConville recently returned from a short
trip to Mexico and Cuba.
Morris Goodman of Republic expects to
leave February 26 for a four-month checkup.
Due back early in March are Joe Hummel
of Warner and Adolph Zukor and
John W. Hicks jr. of Paramount.
Planning a trip is Phil Reisman of RKO.
Better Production Sound
Claimed tor New 'Mike'
New York—Better sound in production
looms with the "all-pm-pose" cardioid microphone
which was demonstrated by
Western Electric engineers in the deep,
hollow depths of Madison Square Garden.
Excessive reverberations and booming
sounds appeared done away with by the
new "multimike" for which is claimed
greater flexibility and adaptability over
the dynamic type. It is also claimed its
versatility will be realized most fully when
recording "takes" are made on location.
Western Electric engineers say it is so
constructed that it dampens unwarranted
noises while it picks up sound with equal
sensitivity. It can be operated to pick up
sound from all directions and can be
further adjusted to pick up sounds from
the front or back, or just from the front
of the microphone only. So its sponsors
assert.
Schine Building New One
In Rochester Vicinity
Rochester—A new house, to be known
as the Lake, is being built in nearby Canandaigua
by the Schine circuit. William
J. MacFarlane, who now manages the circuit's
Playhouse there, will also have
charge of the Lake.
I4-B
BOXOFFICE : : February 17, 1940

;
the
Coated Paper Award
Goes to UA
New York—First prize in the annual
competition of the Martin Cantine Co.
for "outstanding skill" in the use of
coated paper in tradepaper advertising
during 1939 has been awarded to UA.
The competition, open to all companies,
covered all forms of advertising and
printed announcements in which coated
paper was used, and is conducted each
year as "a means of advancing the art
of display advertising."
rime to Think, Cut
]ut Badges-Walker
New York—"The picture business needs
) do a lot of thinking just now." in the
pinion of former Mayor James J. Walker,
aiming credit for organizing the Motion
icture Theatre Owners of America years
?o. out of which grew the MPTOA.
Walker was recently proposed by Harry
randt. president of the ITOA of New
ork. as a logical head for one national
vhibitor organization, if and when. The
)rmer mayor was asked if there were any
?velopments toward the merging of
:ptoa, Allied and several independent
;hibitor organizations. He replied that
; knew of none— "no one has talked to
e personally about it."
Asked if he would consider the post as
iggested by Brandt if such a merger
•entuates. Walker declared: "I couldn't
) it if it involved traveling across the
luntry to weld the organizations together,
owever. if this thing is finally accomished
it would serve a useful purpose.
:iere is a compound of jealousies that
lould be eliminated. The desire of men
world to wear badges and sashes
! terrible."
ew York Allied Moves to
eorganize Albany Unit
New York—Allied of New York's execu-
/e committee has resolved to reorganize
i Albany unit and elect officers to reace
those who recently quit over disreement
on the organization's anti-
-;ely bill position.
Ray Pashley has been appointed viceesident
pro tern of the Albany unit pendig
an election, tentatively scheduled next
nnth. Ed Souhami. Allied counsel. Josih
Abramson of Brooklyn and Pashley
'11 comb the Albany area in a few weeks
lior to election.
The executive committee also selected
•'racuse. May 23-23, as the scene for a
fitewide meeting, the highlight of which
'11 be a testimonial dinner to Max Cohen,
lesident, in commemoration of his 30th
iniversary in the business.
•'eorge West on 3-Week
'our of Monogram Units
^Ew York—George West. Monogram
fmchise holder, is on a three-week tour
c exchanges at Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas
(y and Cincinnati, in which he holds an
i^erest. He also has the Screeno francse
for the east.
Nat'l Theatres Veers Toward
Decentralized Film Buying
Block Booking Wins
Place in Congress
WA.SHINGTON—Members of Congress are
becoming "block booking conscious."
This was developed during recent hearings
on the Navy Department appropriation
bill for the fiscal year beginning July
1. next, when Representative James G.
Scrugham (Dem.i of Nevada, a member of
the House appropriations committee, questioned
Commander F. V. Lake of the bureau
of navigation, as to the conditions
under which the Navy gets the pictures
that are shown on its ships and at its
shore stations and navy yards.
There is absolutely no block booking involved
in the Navy's program. Commander
Lake declared. The Navy, he said,
gets the latest pictures produced, at a
very reasonable price, takes the pictures
of every company and secures about the
same price from each.
The bureau executive urged the committee
to increase the usual $85,000 appropriation
for pictures to $135,000, explaining
that the number of ships has been increased
and a new squadron has been established
which will make it necessary for
the department to secure three prints of
each picture, instead of two as in the past.
The increase was denied, however, be-
Educational Petition Says
Erpi Largest Creditor
New York—Erpi. with a secured claim
of $211,600, is named as the largest creditor
in the voluntary banki-uptcy petition
filed in U. S. district court by Educational
Films Corp. of America, subsidiary of Educational
Pictures, Inc. Other secured creditors
are Jeremiah D. McGuire. $20,466.
and the National City Bank. $10,000. Tax
claims, now in dispute, are listed at $47.-
349. Assets are set forth as the trade
mark "The Spice of the Program." cash on
hand of $259. and 16mm and substandard
rights to films, of unknown value, being
distributed by eight companies.
New Jersey Allied Eyes
Pending Legislation
Trenton—Pending and anticipated New
Jersey legislation affecting the industry
was informally discussed by members of
Allied of New Jersey at a meeting at the
Stacy-Trent here. Maury Miller, vicepresident,
presided. Due to the severity of
the snow storm, the session drew only a
few members.
Los Angeles—Although not officially
announced, it is reliably reported one of
the changes in policy adopted at the conclave
of National Theatres divisional managers,
just concluded, calls for a radical
change in film-buying methods for the 500-
odd theatres in the nation-wide circuit.
Henceforth the swing will be toward
buying film in local distribution centers to
a much greater degree than has been the
practice. In the past few years NT's president.
Spyros Skouras, and W. T. Powers,
head buyer, have lined up seasonal product
purchases from the majors through the
distributors' New York offices. Tliis custom
is, largely, to be dispensed with and
the responsibility or acquiring product
turned over to the various divisional managers
working through exchange centers
in their respective territories.
Sessions Extended One Week
The NT parley wound up officially
February 12. It began January 29 and the
original one-week schedule was extended
seven days in order to cover the ground
charted for discu.ssion. In the closing days,
Charles Skouras. president of Fox West
Coast, was named field marshal of the second
annual Spyros Skouras Showmanship
Campaign, to be conducted among NT's
operating districts April 14 to July 13. The
conventionites, who had visited 20th Century-Pox
and Metro to survey the product
outlook, paid calls upon RKO Radio to
hear President George J. Schaefer and
Ned E. Depinet outline that company's
plans, and upon Paramount to hear a simi-
cause members of the committee felt that
if the department got two prints for the
present figure, the cost of the third print
should not be so much more, but held in its lar talk by Y. Frank Freeman. First to
report on the bill that the department leave were Harry Cox of the New York office.
should be able to meet the increased cost
Powers and Dave Idzal. manager of
from the profits of the ships' stores, which the Fox, Detroit. Divisional managers attending
complement the government's contribution
included:
for pictures by an equal amount.
Harold Fitzgerald, Milwaukee: E. C. Rhoden,
Kansas City; Rick Ricketson. Denver;
Frank Newman, Seattle, and Arch M.
Bowles, San Fi-ancisco. A number of homeoffice
executives also were on hand.
Brandt Sees Independent
Future in Small Towns
New York—"The future of independent
exhibition lies in smaller communities
where there is a chance to get a run of
product and where an increase in population
is definite." says Han-y Brandt, in
explanation of his decision to expand his
circuit with the construction of 11 theatres
in New England.
Asked how he thought it possible to
operate successfully in the situations he
contemplates in view of his oft-repeated
statements on alleged iUs facing the average
independent operator. Brandt replies:
"Most of the towns we are going into
only have one house. This makes it
possible for us to get the product the existing
theatre does not use. Such a thing
we would not be able to do In urban cities,
where the product situation is bad and
where overseating is already a problem."
He says six of the new units will be In
operation by next fall.
BXOFTICE : : February 17, 1940
14-C

Order
Premature,
High Court Holds
Philadelphia—The third circuit court
appeals has set aside the preliminary
of
injunction granted by District Judge
William H. Kirkpatrick last November 7
to operators of the Landis, Vineland,
against Stanley-Warner and the majors.
The court, consisting of John Biggs jr.,
Albert B. Maris and William Clark, ruled
that the injunction was granted prematurely
and sent the matter back to Judge
Kirkpatrick for a final hearing. It did
not rule on the "merits" of the case.
Judge Kirkpatrick's injunction, which
forbade the defendants from carrying out
contracts which assertedly were harmful
to the Landis and in violation of the antitrust
laws, never really went into effect,
because it was stayed by an immediate
appeal to the circuit court.
The circuit court's brief opinion pointed
out that an injunction represents "far
reaching power," should be granted only
to prevent irreparable injury, and must
preserve—not change—the status quo.
Judge Kirkpatrick's injunction changed
the status, the court declared.
It further declared the injunction
should not have been granted on the basis
of evidence that was largely in the form
of affidavits, with inadequate cross-examination.
Preparations were made for an early
rehearing before Judge Kirkpatrick by
counsel for both sides. On one side are
Former Congressmen Benjamin Golder,
lepresenting the Stanley-Warner chain;
Morris Wolf, representing Vitagraph, and
Former Attorney General William A.
Schnader, representing the other major
distributors. On the other side is State
Senator Harry Shapiro, representing John
C. Gittone, mayor of Vineland; a group
of Vineland officials, the Cumberland
Holding Co., and the Landis.
The case is being watched here with
intense interest, because its outcome may
determine the settlement of other similar
litigation, and may have an effect on
the national picture.
Hollywood, That
Quaint Place
New York—Sidney Skolsky reports
in the New York "Post" that Harlan
Thompson, Paramount producer, was
experiencing Hays office trouble on a
dance in "Road to Singapore." Code
officials wouldn't pass if. Showing it a
second time, Thompson, according to
Skolsky, said:
"Talk up and fell me exactly what
you object to." The Hays man answered,
"I can't tell you exactly, but
there must be something wrong with
it, else I wouldn't want to see it three
times."
Mort Singer Bullish
Over New Product
New Orleans— "Producers have discovered
after all this time that they can
make money on good stuff, and the other
kind of pictures are going by the boards."
Mort Singer speaking. In a prediction
mood, he says 1940 wiU be the biggest year
for great pictures— "they're coming in
gobs." His second prognostication is that
television will be a part of the country's
theatres in five years. Third is that
"Gone With the Wind," which his Orpheum
is not playing, will do more good
for the industry than any picture to date.
Last, but not least, he thinks "Pinocchio"
is "even better than 'Snow White'."
Singer does not think television will ever
take the place of the present type of film
theatre "but will serve as an adjunct. For
instance, during the Mardi Gras we could
show 10 minutes of a parade. But certainly
we won't televise things like baseball
games. Who's going to sit in a theatre for
two hours to watch a game?"
About "GWTW": "Every good picture
makes more theatregoers, and 'Wind' is
making plenty of theatre fans for the future."
Insurance
Millions
In Theatre Leases
Washington—Tlie motion picture pro'
ducers may be "in the hands of the bank
ers," but the exhibitors of the country bi<
fair to go to the life insurance companies
according to figures compiled by the securl
ties and exchange commission showing thi
theatre investments of the 26 largest lega
reserve life insurance companies,
;
A statistical analysis of the investment
of the 26 companies, prepared for thi
temporary national economic committee
currently investigating the life insuranci
industry, shows that the 26 companies a
the end of 1938 held theatre property mort
gages with an aggregate value of $38,244,-
000. The book value of the mortgagee
properties is not disclosed, but undoubtedly
runs many millions in excess of thi
mortgages.
Figures on Holdings
The commission also finds that, by fore
closures and in other ways, the 26 companies
have acquired theatre propertie:,
with a book value of $2,826,944 and hac
held, but disposed of in 1938, such proper
ties to the value of $358,750.
The $40, 000, 000-odd investment of th(
life insurance companies in theatre properties,
however, is but a small percentage o
their total mortgages and holdings of rea
estate, it is shown.
Not all of the companies own theatn
properties, but among those that had sue!
assets at the end of 1938 were the Metropolitan
Life, $311,805; Prudential, $565,005
New York Life, $331,800; Mutual Life
$305,000; Penn Mutual. $638,597; Mutua
Benefit, $62,650; Massachusetts Mutual
$250,200; Connecticut General, $11,506
Western & Southern, $179,480, and Guar
dian Life, $150,668.
The figures on the theatre holdings o
the companies were compiled merely a
part of the general setup of the insuranci
companies and are not slated to t>e thi
subject of investigation by the TNEC.
Berkson and Mills Operate
As Screencrait Pictures
New York—J. S. Berkson and B. H,
Mills, former Republic franchise holders in
Albany, Buffalo and Detroit who now are
operating on their own as Screencraft Pictures,
Inc., are on their way toward closing
territorial deals. Pam-O-Pictures have
purchased the lineup for upper New York.
Max Shulgold, former GN manager in
Pittsburgh and now on his own as Pine
Arts Producing and Distributing Corporation,
has closed for his territory.
Berkson is on a sales trip now and expects
to close additional deals.
Canadian Pioneers Forming
Toronto—Patterned on the New York
organization the Canadian Film Pioneers
Club is taking applications from individuals
connected with the industry for
25 years or more.
14-D
Getting Set tor Montague's Drive—
In other tvords, the Columbia committee in charge of the sales push on
behalf of the general sales manager. Left to right, M. J. Weisfeldt, short
subject sales supervisor; Louis Weinberg, circuit sales; Maurice Grad. director
of sales promotion; Rube Jackter, assistant sales manager and chairman;
George Joseph, manager of sales accounting; Louis Astor, circuit sales,
and Henry Kaufman, manager of exchange operations.
BOXOFHCE : ; February 17, 19*

I
Complaint
I
1
1—The
' 2—The
I
I
I
I
6—Tlie
!
7—At
I
I
Goldwyn Re-Files
Suit Against UA
New York—Samuel Goldwyn and Sam-
[uel Goldwyn, Inc. have filed a 154-page
,suit against UA, London Film Productions,
Ltd. and Alexander Korda in federal court,
'seeking the termination of Goldwyn's 10-
,year distribution deal with UA.
The producer, in three applications for
relief, seeks to enjoin UA during the action
and then permanently from interfering
\nth negotiations with other distributors
for his product, an accounting of
ponies due under the UA contract and
damages for the alleged wrongful interfer-
;nce with attempts to distribute "The
Westerner" elsewhere.
The papers reveal the producer did have
,1 deal under way with Paramount, al-
;hough this has been persistently and
.ariously denied by Paramount executives,
md also explain the circumstances by
vhich Goldwyn returned to UA distribution
for "The Westerner."
More Specific
The new action is identical to the one
liismissed in Delaware, except that the
i-omplaint is much more specific and in-
•ludes Korda and London Films as deendants.
Goldwyn lists 14 points on
^hich he will rely to prove UA's intererence
with him. His allegations:
defendants maliciously tried to
Irive Goldwyn out of business.
defendants failed to devote their
lest efforts in the distribution of his piciures.
3—The defendants failed to secure the
jighest possible gross.
4—The defendants failed to secure the
[lighest prices in distributing the pictures.
5—The defendants used Goldwyn's pictures
to secure better prices for other producer's
product.
defendants offered inducements
p exhibitors not to play Goldwyn's pic-
|Ures.
the 1939 convention the defendants
prevented Goldwyn from establishig
friendships with UA's salesmen.
8—The defendants did not use their best
jfforts in securing advertising and dis-
.'ibution.
9—The defendants discriminated against
toldwyn in placing ads.
10—The defendants issued false and
lisleading statements to the press about
oldwyn.
11—The defendants got employes of
oldwyn to leave his service.
12—The defendants withheld monies
ue to the producer.
13—The defendants charged publicly
lat the producer was a contract breaker.
14—The defendants released misleading
atements to the effect that Goldwyn's
rtists, directors and employes were leavig
him.
Goldwyn lists among some of his objecons
the fact that the Elton Corp. and
lexander Korda Corp. were to receive
mefits under the Silverstone plan. He
so objected to allowing Korda to rease
his own pictures in Nationalistic
pain.
The producer declared on December 18,
139 he notified UA he was terminating
(Continued on page 18)
OXOFnCE : : February 17. 1940
Says Industry Is
In Nation's Debt
New York — "The film industry owes
a great debt of gratitude to America,"
says Representative Martin Dies in the
second of a series of articles in "Liberty,"
this one entitled "Is Communism
Invading the Movies?" He goes on:
"Under our political and economic systems,
its producers, actors and screen
writers, as well as many other employes,
have made fabulous fortunes
out of this industry. The least that they
can do in appreciation is to use this
great medium of information and entertainment
for the purpose of preserving
the institutions upon which our
economic and political systems are
built."
Dies Vows He Will
Check Coast "Leak"
Washington—The alleged "leak" of a
confidential committee report made by a
coast investigator who has been delving
into allegedly subversive activities of Hollywood
for the House committee on un-
American activities, which he heads, brings
from Representative Martin Dies the
declaration that he will have the matter
thoroughly checked.
Dies charged the investigator's report
had made its way to "the producers," who
"have copies of it and have mimeographed
it and even know who the witnesses are
going to be." He said he would recommend
to his committee that hearings to "expose
Hollywood thoroughly" be started within
30 days and expressed the hope there
would be "no pussyfooting, no back tracking,
no crawling." He will ask that the
hearings bar the public, he said.
'They—the film producers—are undertaking
to ridicule the investigation of their
industry," he said, observing he expected
the committee to face its biggest fight on
the coast. "The movie industry has turned
heaven and earth to stop us. They've got
the highest priced publicity service in the
world. They've got a lot of political influence.
I think they're going to start
one of the darndest campaigns of ridicule
you ever saw."
Concessions on Answering
Interrogatories Granted
New York—The department of justice
has granted permission to the majors to
file answers to the government interrogatories
Nos. 24-40 on February 24, and to
Nos. 40-59 on March 1. Answers to the
first 24 were filed Saturday. Those portions
of the answers which the majors
want kept confidential need not be submitted
on the above mentioned dates.
The government will file its consolidated
answer to the majors' 50 interrogatories
on March 1.
Heads Talent Dept.
Hollywood — Ben Piazza has been
signed to head the RKO studio talent department.
Korda Arrives,
Plans Not Definite
His
New York—Alexander Korda's "immediate"
production plans are "indefinite,"
the UA producer declared on his arrival
on the Rex from London, Thursday. Asked
why there was uncertainty on his part as
to future pictures, especially "Jungle Boy,"
which UA announced would be his next
venture in Hollywood, Korda replied:
"There is no special significance. My indecision
is purely a personal factor. I may
do 'Jungle Boy,' but I have not yet made
up my mind."
Aside from "Thief of Bagdad" Korda has
nothing in work. He said he had postponed
an announced production concerning
U-boat activity. The bulk of "Bagdad"
will arrive here in print form in about
four weeks, he said. Due to interruptions
caused by the war in India it will be
necessary to "fill in" some sequences for
the film in Arizona. Korda's brother,
Zoltan, who now is in Hollywood with Sabu
will handle the necessary footage.
Production in English studios is close to
normal, Korda said. Gabriel Pascal is
now active and Ben Goetz is expected to
get under way in about a week with a film
starring Robert Montgomery for M-G-M.
Film business in England is "very good,"
he asserted. Only in the West End of
London where the hours permitting exhibition
are shorter than elsewhere is there
any dropping off of patronage. He described
the morale of the English people as
"superb," with no apparent tenseness due
to the war.
Comeriord Will Filed
Scranton, Pa.—Filing of the will of the
late M. E. Comerford reveals the circuit
owner's estate is valued at close to $2,000-
000, consisting principally of holdings in
about 30 theatre companies and real estate
corporations. The will, filed by Frank C.
Walker, executor, bequeaths his estate to
his widow, his daughter, a number of relatives
and philanthropies.
Give 'GWTW Gate
Oi $8,650,000
New York—A weekend tabulation at
the M-G-M sales department shows an
estimated $8,650,000 aggregate boxoffice
gross for the 256 "Gone With the
Wind" engagements currently under
way. New bookings have brought the
total thus far scheduled to 450 in about
380 situations since the film premiered
in Atlanta, December 15.
Hundreds of patrons who had purchased
reserved scats at Loew's theatres
along the eastern seaboard and
who were unable to use them due to
the severity of the snow storm that
lashed this area Thursday, are to be
given exchange tickets to see the film
at a later dale. The decision was
made by Joseph R. Vogel after his office
was swamped with requests from
managers, who had been besieged by
snowbound patrons.

When 'U'
Gels 'Em,
Seems They Stick
He Came for a Premiere, Too—
Flanking Terry Kilburn. who appears in "Sioiss Family Robinson" and who
came east for the premiere at the Music Hall, is Mrs. Gene Towne, wife of
the producer. On the right is Jean McCormick, daughter of Barret, director
of advertising and publicity for RKO.
Scully Gets a Verbal Workout;
Then Goes to Miami for Sun
New York—William A. Scully, general
sales manager for Universal, left Friday
for a month's vacation in Miami, but two
days prior to his departure was given a
verbal workout by Robert L. Wright, assistant
to the attorney general, at examination
before trial in the all-industry
suit. At the conclusion of the three and
a half hour examination, Wright seemed
wearied while Scully insisted he was a
"tough Irishman that could not be downed
so easily."
With Edward C. Raftery of O'Brien,
Driscoll & Raftery assisting as special
counsel, along with Adolph Schimmel and
Charles Prutzman of the company's home
office legal staff, Scully was stopped several
times from answering questions. However,
he made them later with objections
by counsel.
Cliff Work, production head, wUl appear
Tuesday. Ned E. Depinet, general
sales manager for RKO, is slated to go on
Wednesday.
Most of the interrogating concerned
priority and alleged privileges granted by
Universal to its first run accounts.
Scully stated subsequent runs are negotiated
after first run deals are closed and
that clearance in a majority of situations
is handled by local branch managers.
Only in cases where there is a dispute,
Scully added, is he called in. Sometimes
clearances are changed and then again
sometimes they are not, he insisted.
"Clearance," declared the Universal sales
chief, "is a matter of custom. When this
is considered, the location of a theatre,
its ability to pay, policy and location of
other houses over which it will have clearance
are taken into account." Scully insisted
he does not take into consideration
what clearance a theatre is given by other
distributors, that Universal grants protection
independently and as it will best
benefit the company in rentals. He clarified
ran from clearance, holding that run
is the availability of a picture and clearance
is the priority an exhibitor is given
over the next one.
There was much ado about the entire
clearance situation with Raftery entering
objections and the subject left in the
air. The government's next line of attack
was do the smaller exhibitors, the
late runs, get the same break on contracts
as the larger accounts? To which Scully
said that in a number of instances, fifth
and sixth runs have the right to selectivity,
such as the Beverly and Clifton, two
Harry Brandt houses on the east side.
Wright then tried to learn from Scully
if he sold Universal on the same policy as
M-G-M, mindful of the years he was with
the latter company. Scully said there was
no difference in the method of selling, but
the M-G-M deal
that he had difficulty trying to get the
same terms "due to the fact we haven't as
many good pictui-es as M-G-M."
Scully was then interrogated on his interest
or participation in
with the Loew circuit. He said he never
sat in on any of the deals and that C. C.
Moskowitz and Gene Picker negotiated
with William P. Rodgers, E. M. Saunders
and Tom Cormors, western and eastern
sales managers.
Prom Loew's the subject drifted to
M-G-M and Paramount getting together
on a reciprocity deal, which was objected
to in view of the denial by Scully he sat
in on the M-G-M-Loew discussions.
Scully said he once owned an interest
in a theatre for about three months. This
was back in 1920.
Wright failed to get far when he tried
to ask Scully his opinion of whether a distributor
should own an interest in theatres.
The same objections which have
obtained in the Harry and Jack Cohn
cases were entered, these being that expert
opinion is not part of the testimony when
the issues should be decided by the court.
Universal has no franchises, it developed.
According to Scully, "You sell your soul
away when you make one of those." The
company, however, has several agreements
outstanding for more than one year. Scully
said he personally negotiated deals of this
kind with Warner in New England, M.
Varbelow in Camden, N. J., National Thea-
( Continued on page 18-A)
New York—With the exception of one
key center. New Orleans, Universal has
had no change in its first run accounts in
36 situations selected by the government,
|
William A. Scully, general sales manager,
informed Robert L. Wright, special interrogator,
at examinations before trial.
In several of the towns, Scully pointed
out Universal does business with independents
and that the aim of the company
is "to get as much money as we can
for our films."
The city-by-city breakdown of Universal
first run customers as outlined by
Scully as prevailing during his two years
with the company, are as follows:
,\ll)aii.v: Warner's Strand and Ritz.
Fnx and others he sa.v.s he could not remerUi. r
Bulliniore: Keith's, operated hy M. B. .«. h ui
erser. an independent.
Boston: Keith's Memorial and Boston.
Brookl.vn, N. \'.: RKO and Loew's tor the f.irler's
Albee and latter's Metropolitan.
Buffalo: Lafayette, operated by A. C. Hayman.
Charlotte: Publix-Kincey (Paramount affiliate)
'arolina. Imperial and State.
ChicaBo: RKO Palace.
Ciminiiati: Ike Libson (RKO partner) Palace.
Ceitli's. Lyric and other.s he .says he could not
Cleveland: RKO for the Palace. Hippodrome and
illen (RKO has a pool on with Warner).
Dallas: Interstate (Paramount affiliate) Palace.
Des Moines: A. H. Blank. (Paramount affiliate)
es Moines, Paramount and Princess. .\lthough
-
\i u'lit was under the impression a pool existed
ith RKii. such a pool officially wound up some
Detroit: David Idzal for the Fox. Scully said he
id not know whether this house is affiliated
rational Theatres operates under a plan of rer.Kanization
completed
The
Indianapolis: Fred nolle and Harry Katz I
Kansas City: Fox Midwest Uptown an(
Los Angeles: RKO for the Hillstreet and
(Male
Vainer tor the Branford and Capitol.
II : Warner and Mullin & Pinanski for
Roger Sherman and Paramount,
ris: E. V. Richards of the Saeneer clrnot
get togethe
permanent first
the Orpheum. (^
New York » it.\ : l;nuli. This house is owne.
he Biddel Realty Co. George P. Skouras and ,
i'li^lit handle the buying.
Oklnhiinia City: John Cooper for the Crite
Oni
(Parar
affili
le thei
thi:
in
.stance, but BO.XOFFICE learned they
Philadelphia: Warner for the BoylJ, Stanley
.Stanton. Fox and Earle.
riltslnirffh: Johnny Harris and Mort A. .'^he.
for the Alvin and Fulton.
Portland (Ore.): J. J. Parker, an independent
who operates the Broadway and United Artists.
Salt Lake City: Harry David (Paramount atfiliate)
for the Tower and Centre.
San Francisco: Milton Arthur for the Srpheum.
Tile exlilhitor Is an independent.
Seattle: Fox West Coast. No houses were asked.
St. Louis: Harry C. Arthur, an independent. No
houses were asked.
St. Paul: Minnesota Amusement Co. (Paramount
affiliate In a pool with RKO). No houses were
Washinston: RKO for Keith's.
In most instances, the Universal general
sales manager gave information as to who
(Continued on page 18-A)
16 BOXOrnCE : : Pebruary 17, 1940
the

I
I
. . George
. . William
. . Edward
. . Ned
. . . William
. . . The
. . Tom
. . After
'Most Rabid Extant"—
Which is how RKO describes Gladys
Thomas. She is a fan. regards Snow
White as her favorite star and. so
states Rutgers Neilson, rode a bus all
the way from Alexandria. Pa., in a
determination to buy the first ticket
for the regular run of -Pinocchio" at
the Center. That's not all. Neilson
says she bought it.
Ur RAY JOHNSTON is back on the job
after a week of a severe cold . . . E. W.
Aaron, assistant to William F. Rodgers at
M-G-M, has set March 14 as his Florida
departure date . . . Ruth Rich, secretary
to Gus S. Eyssell at the Music Hall, is taking
in a Miami vacation . Wyler
is here from Hollywood with his wife
. . . John S. Harrington, manager of
Monogram's print and accessories departnent,
is on a six weeks tour of 29 exjhanges
that will take him as far as
Seattle . . . Harry Goldberg, director of
idvertising and publicity for the Warner
;ircuit, will be the principal speaker at the
Philadelphia Cinema Club's annual banquet,
February 20 . . . Lionel Toll is on a
Florida vacation ... F. J. A. McCarthy is
:ack from a business trip to Nashville . . .
Harold Rodner of Warner has gone to the
;oast to supervise the selection of stars
ind arrangements for filming the annual
iVill Rogers short subject.
George J. Schaefer is due from an exended
coast visit Monday . E.
Oepinet preceded him earlier iji the loeek
. . Harry Cohn and Nate Spingold headed
I'or Florida over the weekend . . . Jack
'^ohn left the same time, but in the direcion
of Hollywood . . . Sidney Kent is taking
all the Everglades State has to offer
. . Joe Moskowitz. his coast trip on and
^ff for mo7iths, still undetermined about
'lis trek west . Skouras is back
'ram Florida, bearing visible evidence of
xposure to the sun and strange contrast
heaps of white snow . G.
iobinson has returned to the coast to belin
work in ''Brother Orchid" . . . Stanley
land, Altec's staff representative, is
iround again after a business trip in
lOXOFFICE : : February 17. 1940
the mideast territory . . . Nate Blumberg,
with New York snoio reports handy,
is figuring on stretching his Florida holiday
another week.
Hortense Schorr, according to schedule,
should be in Florida by this time . . .
Bill
Jaffa has returned after a month in those
parts . . . Bill Pine dipped in and out and
now is back in Hollywood. Had been in
Canada in connection with the forthcoming
De Miller on the Northwest mounted
police . . . Rube Jackter says it's Miami for
Skouras. The itinerary then calls for
shuttling back to the M-G-M studios and
home on March 5 . . . Will Hays is due
from the coast Monday .
two
weeks confinement to the Lenox Hill Hospital
where he underwent an operation
for gallstones, the condition of Joseph
Bernhard, Warner circuit head, was described
as "a little better—he'll be here
for some time." . . . Columbia is dickering
for the services of a prominent Broadway
stage director—initials H. S. . . . June
Duprez, feminine lead in "The Thief of
here.
is
Capt. Dennis F. O'Brien returned from
the coast over the weekend after checking
up on the late Douglas Fairbanks' estate
. . . Bill Scully says "My Little Chickadee"
is going into the Roxy, but a date hasn't
been set yet . . . Joe McConville is back
from Mexico and Cuba . . . George W.
Weeks is due back soo7i from a tour of
Monogram exchange centers, his last as
sales manager far the company. He is planning
eight westerns a year for Monogram,
is understood to have his financing set and
may make an additional exploitation picture
or two . . . Jay Eisenberg finally gets
away and off on his Miami vacation Friday
. . . John Stahl is planning to leave
for the coast in a feio days now that he
has sufficiently recovered from an illness
which bedded him for two weeks.
Spyros Skouras, Eddie Zabel and John
Healy are remaining over on the coast.
Powers and Harvey Cox already have
Bill
returned from the National Theatres meeting
Margaret Clancy, secretary to
. . . Walter Gould of UA went to Atlantic City
Skouras, is vacationing at Lake Placid . . .
for a rest following a short illness . . .
Bob Gillham leaves the middle of the week
for three weeks of fishing in Florida
waters . . . Another Florida vacationist
is Walter J. Hutchinson of 20th-Fox . . .
Manhattan sightseer is Miriam Hopkins
WUliam Wylers to Lake Placid.
Hal Home, Roy Disney. Ned Depinet
and Bill Levy took time out Tuesday to
give the Center marquee the once-over
on "Pinocchio" Murray left
.
Thursday for Chicago, Denver, Salt Lake
City, Butte, Seattle, Portland, San Fran-
cisco and Los Angeles on a visit to Uni-
That Packard in
exchanges . .
front of the Warner home office with the
license plate E S-60 is the property of Grad
Sears, if you must know, the "E" being
his wife's initial.
Jimmy Roosevelt next week continues on
an exhibitor contact tour, with Washington,
Baltimore and Philadelphia among
the first areas to be visited on behalf of
"The Bat," first Roosevelt-Globe production
for UA . . . Al Zimbalist, Warner
Philadelphia exploiteer, spent the weekend
with his folks in the Bronx ... J. J. Milstein
is on a southern holiday . . . The
name of Charlie Sonin's grandson—the
him in about two weeks now . . . Irving
Dollinger, New Jersey operator, is in Havana
... He plans to meet up somewhere
along the line with a neighbor, Lee Newbury,
Allied of New Jersey president, who first by the way—is Bruce Jay Meyers. He
is touring the southern cities and islands weighed six pounds, nine ounces, when delivered
at Polyclinic Hospital ... J. Rob-
F. Rodgers went from Port
Huron, where the Henry Fords helped ert Rubin was in Washington last week in
celebrate the premiere of "Young Tom Edison"
to Lake Arrowhead, where he is go-
supreme court on an appeal of the "Letty
connection with oral arguments before the
ing to meet and loll around with Spyros Lynton" decision.
Greatest testimonial to the memory of
the late Heywood Broun was the crowd
that overflowed the Manhattan Opera
House at the Newspaper Guild memorial
meeting. It was conducted in a spirit
Broun ivould have preferred best. There
were revealing anecdotes, complimentary
comments over his poker playing, and
above all, praise for the writer and th»
man. Many film people were there. Edward
G. Robinson spoke briefly about
Broun, the dramatic critic, and the inspiration
he furnished to all of the stage.
One of Broun's earlier works, "Seeing
Things at Night," ivas purchased by Nunnally
Johnson. The best story of the
evening was told by Quentin Reynolds.
It seems W. R. Hearst offered Broun an
(Continued on page -D)
'Ml, Van" on Coast—
Otherivise, W. G. Van Schmus (center),
managing director of the Radio
City Music Hall in Neiv York, pays a
visit to Charles Boyer and Director
Anatoli Litvak on the set of "All This
and Heaven. Too," at the Waryier
studio.

: February
Goldwyn Re-Files
Suit Against UA
(Continued from page 15)
the agreement and received a reply from
Murray Silverstone refusing to allow the
breach. Silverstone stated UA had not
violated any agreement. Goldwyn attempted
to make a separate deal for "The
Westerner" and says he had better distribution
terms offered him by Paramount
and Warner than at UA, but the latter
company threatened the other two majors
with legal action and they dropped the
deal. Until January 30, Goldwyn asserts
he attempted to distribute the film elsewhere,
but everybody was afraid so he
had to come back to UA. The contract he
is attempting to break is a 10-year document,
entered into July 22, 1936.
Goldwyn won a point in his other federal
court action at the same time, when
Judge William O. Bondy denied an application
of UA to dismiss the $54,559 action
for monies due under the Silverstone
plan. UA had claimed the action had been
transferred to the Bank of America. The
judge found it had been re-transferred to
Goldwyn and that UA had so been notified.
Goldwyn, however, must furnish UA
with
particulars.
GN Examination Highlights
Other Court Developments
New York—Court developments of the
week were highlighted with resuming of
examinations of GN executives. Earle W.
Hammons. president; Bruno Weyers, vicepresident;
John R. Munn, director; and
Walter Duke, attorney, were questioned by
Joseph Dannenberg, attorney for the trustee.
The questioning was routine with Dannenberg
pressing his point about the value
of $1,062,922. placed on Educational's trade
marks and re-issue rights, when the company's
assets were turned over to GN in
1938 for 1,100,000 shares of common.
The hearings resume February 29, the
same date of the first creditors' meeting
of Educational Pictures, before referee
John E. Joyce in federal court. The creditors
at that time will elect a trustee.
James A. Davidson is receiver.
Suit of Edward Lynch against Warners,
First National Theatres, and Joe E. Brown
is on trial before federal judge Clarence
Galston. Action seeks $100,000 damages
for alleged plagiarism of the plaintiff's
short story, "When Homer Comes Marching
Home" in "The Son of a Sailor."
The appellate division of the supreme
court has reserved decision on an application
of the Daily Neivs and Ed Sullivan to
dismiss a $1,000,000 libel action of Walter
Wanger and Walter Wanger Productions.
Supreme court justice Felix Benvenga
refused to dismiss the action and
it is from that decision that the News is
appealing. Wanger asserts Sullivan declared
he produces only "B" productions.
Release Three-Reelers
New York—Convinced there is a market
for three-reelers to use with outstanding
features as a means for breaking down
dual bills. World Pictures will release 12
featurettes during the next six months.
Which Introduces
"Oral Oomph"
Hollywood — "Listen to Loretta Young
when 'The Doctor Takes a Wife' is released
and you will hear the finest
femme voice on the screen," suggests
a Columbia spokesman. "At least," he
qualifies, "that is the opinion of the
American Institute of Voice Teachers.
They rate her tops on five counts:
Enunciation, clarity, tonal quality, range
and "oral oomph'."
Where's Ann Sheridan?
Warner Would Have 1935
Tax Claim Set Aside
Washington—Warner is seeking to have
the tax appeals board set aside an Internal
Revenue Bureau claim of $313,908
for additional income taxes for 1935. Involved
is a method of appraising the cost
of supervising and operating theatres
either owned or leased by subsidiary companies.
Warner claims the cost to the parent
company totaled $2,738,294 for the fiscal
year ended Aug. 31, 1935 and, therefore,
deducted the amount from taxable income.
The bureau, however, disallowed the deduction
and assessed additional taxes.
M. P. Associates Studying
Unemployment Insurance
New York—Directors of Motion Picture
Associates will immediately begin the study
of various forms of unemployment insurance
to benefit members, it was said by
Jack Ellis, president, during a luncheon
meeting at the Hotel Astor for installation
of officers.
Morris Sanders, who lost the presidency
race to Ellis, said the organization is
contemplating establishment of a permanent
home for less fortunate members, as
well as permanent club rooms for future
meetings.
"Table" Lewis' Plan for
Exploiteers Department
New York—The plan originating with
Cliff Lewis, Paramount's coast publicity
head, to set up a permanent, nationwide
department of local exploiteers has been
"tabled" for the present, Robert Gillham,
director of advertising and publicity declares.
Lewis was here recently to discuss
the matter with Gillham, who states the
idea may be given further consideration
later.
NT Heads Due
New York—Spyros Skouras, Ed Zabel
and John Healy are due from the coast in a
few days after attending a series of National
Theatres divisional and district
managers' meetings. William T. Powers
and Harry Cox, the former film buyer
and the latter treasurer, returned last
week.
ITOA Meeting "Routine"
New York—A regular ITOA meeting
held at the Hotel Astor was said by a
spokesman to be "routine."
Film Alliance Now
Plans6,U.S.-Made
New York — Nat Wachsberger, executive
vice-president of Film Alliance of the
United States, is due in Paris momentarily
to sign French producers and players to
make films in Hollywood. Tlie plan may
be extended to embrace British talent as
well, while French contracts are to be limited
to those personalities speaking Eng-^
lish.
Six pictures are planned by this company
in which Harry Brandt, circuit operator,
is a principal. The first is slated to
get under way April 1 for distribution
through Film Alliance of which Norman
Elson is sales manager. Present offices in
the RKO Bldg. are to be enlarged, it is
promised.
The proposed product is to be combined
with the company's current program of
British and French releases of which there
are 25 and of which nine are now in actual
release. Indicating the plan may be
extended to embrace regulation Hollywood
talent, Wachsberger, prior to his departure
on the Clipper from Baltimore, declared
production will not be limited to
personalities imported.
Would "Strike" for Right
To Pick luvenile Show
New York—The Schools Motion Picture
Committee— "a good friend to the indus-.
try"—hints it may "go on strike to get at-!
tention" for "at least one theatre in each
neighborhood of greater Manhattan to
show a weekend program selected from
current offerings with some thought given
to the children's needs."
The organization asks, "Must parents be
willing to accept indefinitely the standard-,
ized programs which under present prac-|
tices of booking are all that we can get:
for our children except in the indepen-i
dently owned theatres?" The statement
goes on to say that "chain theatre managers
are unable to rearrange features,
with the result that after five years of
work the SMPC finds itself able to recom--
mend fewer programs than at its inception."
Death of Mike Wilkes Is
Shock to UA Home Office
New York—UA home office executives;
expressed shock over the sudden death of
Mike Wilkes, Canadian exploitation repre--
sentative since 1932, of a heart attack,
while on a train traveling between Toronto
and Montreal Wednesday evening.
He was 55 and is survived by one son.
Dustin.
The body was removed at Kingston.
Ont., and, after a brief Toronto service,
was sent to Buffalo for interment.
Buffalo—F\meral services were held for:
Mike Wilkes at the Elkins Funeral Home
Friday. Haskell Masters, Canadian general
manager for UA, and various Toronto
and Montreal exchangemen attended.
18
BOXOFFICE :
17, 1940

,
discussed
;
ecutives
.
Warners,
i matter
I ment
I
change
: men
'
The
When 'U' Gets 'Em,
Seems They Stick
Scully Gets a Verbal Workout;
Then Goes to Miami for Sun
(Continued from page 16)
from his company negotiated deals with the
circuits and individuals. In practically
all cases, the customers have been the
same for the past two years. But in a
number of situations where there are selective
contracts, other customers are on
the books.
In Los Angeles, for Instance, Scully
pointed out the company sells a number
of pictures away from RKO because it refuses
to hold up releases. In Baltimore,
the company has a selective contract with
Schanberger. When the exhibitor makes
his eliminations, negotiations are started
with other independents for the rejections.
In Boston and Chicago, Universal has selective
pacts and rejections are sold to
others.
In no instance, Scully stated, has he
with Paramount home office exany
deals in work, or consummated,
with its partners. In the case of
National Theatres and RKO,
home office meetings have been held,
usually prior to the making of an agreement.
Unable to give information beyond his
tenui-e of office, Scully's examination was
terminated and will be continued, on the
of distribution contracts, with F.
jj. A. McCarthy, eastern sales manager,
for the three years previous. For a moit
appeared James R. Grainger, Sculjly's
predecessor, would be called, but this
'was tabooed because of McCarthy's
'familiarity with operations of the company
during that time. He has been out of
town and will not be available for another
week or more.
Philly Exchange Employes
Union Opposes Neely Bill
Philadelphia—William Porter, film exemployes
union president, has
named a committee to contact congressto
express opposition to the Neely bill.
action followed a meeting addressed
by Robert Lynch. Metro branch head. Porter
pointed out that the union as a whole
did not take any stand on the bill.
The committee consists of Mrs. May
Smith, Clark Film, chairman: Mollie Cohen.
Metro, and Henrietta Weinberg, Peerless.
Porter also named Ben Harris, Masterpiece,
chairman of the entertainment comimittee:
Jim McWilliam, Clark, chairman
'Of the auditing committee, and Charles
Smith, Clark, chairman of the steward
committee.
Sfill Favors Arbitration
Detroit—Ray Branch, president of Allied
Theatres of Michigan, on the Neely
Ibill: "I am naturally in favor of local
jirbitration. I would not definitely say it
should be included in the Neely bill. We
u-e trying to work toward the same end
ilons other lines. The provision to identiy
pictures always has been desirable."
iOXOFFICE :: February 17, 1940
(Continued from page 16
tres and M&P. Brooklyn was never regarded
as a key city, according to Raftery.
In the same category are Baltimore, Newark,
St. Paul and Houston.
Among the pictures Universal has sold
separately on individual contracts during
Scully's two years there are: "Dark
Rapture," "The Mikado," "Green Hell"
and two other Harry Edington's which
are not to be made.
Minimum admissions are not taken into
account in selling first runs, Scully said,
although he believed the prices to be
charged are incorporated in contracts.
"The ownership of a theatre is not a factor
with us. If the exhibitor parts his hair
in the middle or wears a red tie, it's all
the same to us," he added. Affiliation
doesn't bother Scully either. "We sell to
those from whom we can get the most
money for Universal."
Scully entered the business in 1917 as
a salesman in New Haven for Famous
Players Lasky. The company had been
making about 104 features a year then. He
left in 1918 and a year later joined American
Feature Film Co., which had the Metro
franchise, as manager in the same city.
Metro was making about 36 films a year.
In those years, "we sold clearance and
protection, too," Scully said. In New
Haven from 18 to 22 theatres were sold
from 1917 to 1919. First run had 30 days'
clearance over second run and "we never
made an attempt to control admission
prices in those years."
Scully held the post with American Feature
until 1920 when Metro bought up the
franchise. He continued as New Haven
manager until 1924 and in those years 36
to 43 films were released a year. In 1924,
Triple Screenings for Best
Results in Visual Study
Albany—Triple screenings of a visual
education subject afford students the
most comprehensive results, the first of a
series of conferences by the state education
department was advised here. The
trio of runs on the same subject is to produce
(1) a general outline, (2) particular
points for emphasis and i3) a connection
of the entire topic.
The department is expanding its activities
in teaching through visual and radio
aids.
Upholds Ban on Film
New York — Supreme Court Justice
Aaron J. Levy has vacated a stay restraining
the state censor board from prohibiting
showing of "Life on the Hortobagy."
The court held the film, which shows the
birth of a horse, was neither a newsreel
nor a documentary.
Wallis in New York
New York—Hal B. Wallis, executive
producer for Warner, is here from Hollywood.
A looksee at the new plays is the
purpose.
he was made M-G-M manager in St.
Louis and a year later transferred back to
New Haven where he stayed there until
October, 1928. From 1925 to 1928 the
company made from 40 to 48 a year and
the method of selling was unchanged, he
testified.
In 1928, Scully was appointed New Jersey
branch manager for M-G-M and two
years later eastern district manager with
Charlotte, Washington, New York, New
Haven and Boston under his supervision.
While supervisor he not only devoted his
time to major accounts but also "the $10
accounts," he said.
Now that he is with Universal there Is
not much of a change in selling methods,
Scully went on to say. "As the run decreases
pictures become available to a
larger number of subsequent exhibitors,"
Scully said. In other words, he pointed
out, there is usually one first run in a
town, several second runs and a larger
number of third and fourth runs, but in
some situations there may not be as many
fourth and fifth runs as there are second
and third runs. "Generally speaking, however,
pictures become available to more
subsequent runs as the protection decreases."
Nate J. Blumberg. Universal president,
in Florida and wlU not be called until he
is
returns. He is expected to give considerable
information as to how RKO theatres
operate. A. Montague is in Florida, vacationing
also, and has temporarily been
given leave to appear at a later date.
With Work appearing Tuesday. Wright
is expected to elicit considerable information
as to the RKO circuit setup on the
coast of which Work was western district
manager before assuming his present
duties.
Washington Rogers Zone
Group Meets Monday
Washington—Sam Wheeler, zone chairman
of the Will Rogers national theatre
week drive, has called a meeting for Monday
to discuss plans for participation in
this area. He has named the following
to assist him:
Fred Beiersdorf, Sam Galanty, Rudolph
Berger. B. Bernard Kreisler, Harry Brown,
R. J. Folliard, E. Fontaine, Sam Flax. Fred
Rohrs, John J. Payette, Carter Barron,
Hardie Meakin. Sidney Lust. Ben Pitts,
Morton Thalheimer. Sam Bendheim jr.,
Lou Rome, Frank Durkee, Hunter Perry,
Wm. S. Wilder, I. Rappaport. L. Gaertner.
Frank Hornig, William Hicks, Col. David
McCoach jr., Chas. Stofberg, Chas. Hurley.
Einleld Delays
New York—Slated to leave for Hollywood
again during the week, S. Charles
Einfeld. Warner director of advertising
and publicity, has delayed his departure
for another week.
Schaefer Returns
New York—George J. Schaefer, president
of RKO, is due from HoUywood,
Monday.

. . . Sam
. . Lewen
. . . Musicians'
. . . Pictures
. . , Too
. . Moe
. .
. . One
. . Story .
TWO old houses came into the news last
week. The Chestnut St. Opera House,
which started its existence as a German
ice cream parlor back in civil war days,
and subsequently became a playhouse and
motion picture theatre, was turned over
to the hands of demolition crews by the
University of Pennsylvania, the owner.
The site will become a parking lot . . The
.
huge Mastbaum, closed since 1935, opened
for a day to accommodate the youth concert
of
the Philadelphia orchestra.
WHIIIIILABIEILPMIIA
his troubles in bundles. He came back from
New York with an attack of the grippe—
and had his car stolen in a garage holdup.
The car teas later found with gears
stripped, tires slashed . . . Henry Goldberg,
Paramount's traveling auditor, still in
town on a checkup he started before
Christmas . . . Ann Kraftsow, Paramount
accounting department, is just back from
Florida with a report she made good use
of her fur coat . . . Ulrik Smith is an enthusiastic
Finnish relief worker . . . Joe
Flood, Herb Pearlman and Bill Sharpe
have moved over to Advertising Accessories
with the shift of the Paramount ac-
Clearfield Theatre patrons piled out the
other day to watch a fire across the street
Lefko, RKO. was downed by cessories busijiess . . . Same for J. J.
acute appendicitis while passing through Bruckner and Nick Lalli of RKO . . . Universal
is expected to follow suit soo7i Pottsville Florence Averell, Metro,
. . .
who made an air trip to Hollywood with Columbia reports it's undecided.
Censor Edna R. Carroll, writes she's having
a wonderful time getting photographed Kathleen Dougherty, Republic, marked
ttnth all the stars. But the trip ivas so off a birthday on the 12th; Harry S.
Brown, Washington Monogram manager,
rough, she's coming back by train . . .
Helen Alter is filling in while she's aivay. on the 14th; Lou Ki-ouse, operators' local
Incidentally, Helen marked a birthday head, combined both birthday and wedding
sa7ne day Lincoln did, and
Borowsky,
sporting
Rex.
a
almost
anniversary on the 13th . . . Show-
is
new watch men's Club has organized a "charity committee,"
had his theatre remodeling job to do over
which will try to build up a fund
again when a stolen car ran up the pavement.
for helping persons in the industry who
Luckily, a firebox was in the way. need it, thus eliminating the need for spe-
cial drives. Meyer Adelman, New Jersey
Lester Wurtele. Columbia, says he's up
Messenger, is chairman . Verbin,
to his neck in the new Abe Montague campaign
. . . Harry Goldberg, Warner, in
Record, was elected to fill a vacancy on
the board of directors . . . The club is negotiating
for new quarters at the Broad-
town for an ad meeting . . . Lou Krouse.
Local 207 head, went off to Florida . . .
wood.
Jimmy Dormond, Warner advertising expert,
is trying to sniffle away a cold. Al
Zimbalist is in the same boat
Elmer Hirth, formerly of Comerford, is
noiv doing bookings for William Goldman
in the Warner circuit move Stan Benford
from Palace to Colonial, Joe Battersby from
Union officials report the
Center to Palace, Roland Haynes from
sudden illness of Joe Bernhard has halted
negotiations
Colonial to Keystone.
on settlement of the local
contract dispute.
New Bingo Bill Is
Posed by Turshen
Albany—A constitutional amendment
•
permitting Bingo under charitable and religious
auspices is proposed in a concurrent
resolution sponsored by Assemblyman
Max M. Turshen of Brooklyn. He previously
had introduced a bill seeking to
legalize Bingo under the auspices of
charitable, religious, fraternal, educational,
veterans, volunteer firemen and granges
organized five years prior to the filling of
an application for a license with the secretary
of state.
The Turshen ratification resolution follows
the method which a number of authorities
have declared to be the only way
of legaUzing Bingo. That is, by amending
the section of the state constitution which
prohibits lotteries and sale of lottery
tickets. It would insert in Section 9,
Article 1, the clause "and Bingo games
under religious and charitable auspices,"
following the exception to the lottery prohibition
written in by the Dunnigan parimutuel
amendment approved last fall. As
in the case of mutuels, the legislature
would have to pass an enabling act on
Bingo before being effective.
Two other measures, by Assemblyman
Aaron F. Goldstein of Brooklyn and Sen.
John T. McCall of New York, also attempt
to legalize Bingo by fiat of statute.
If the present legislature were to concur
in the Turshen amendment and the new
one elected for 1941 were to approve an
identical amendment, a referendum thereon
could be held in November, 1941. This
would make 1942 the earliest date at which
Bingo might be legalized constitutionally.
Expect Milgram Suit
.
'
.
\
,
The Monogrammers are building an elaborate
wi7idow display for Bela Lugosi's
Philadelphia—Dave Milgram is expected
to file suit this week in the clearance
"Human Monster" . . . Terry Kilburn,
Blizzard Curbs Shows
young member of th^ "Swiss Family Robinson,"
dropped in town to be interviewed Boston—The worst blizzard here in 50
dispute involving his Walton Theatre and
Stanley-Warner's Bromley.
by the film manhandlers . . . Eric Rhodes,
years halted film business Thursday. Deliveries
were not only impossible in hun-
young star-on-the-way, will make a personal
appearance at the Fays . . . It's a
dreds of cases, but the stranded theatre
Aylesworth Subs at Ross
staffs
daughter for Mel Koff, Darby . . . Morris
crippled operations. The Boston New York—Thomas Aylesworth is temporarily
taking over the duties as director
Wax's Royal, Atlantic City, is closed down theatres were used as barracks by thousands
of stranded commuters, plenty of of advertising and pubUcity for Ross Fed-
for the winter . Pizor, UMPTO
chief, hied himself off to Florida, and them theatregoers.
eral in place of Donovan Hall, resigned.
missed Philadelphia's worst blizzard in
five years . . . George P. Aarons. UMPTO
secretary, is having a busy time attacking
the Neely bill. He debated Sid Samuelson,
KOCHESTERi
Allied, in Reading, spoke before the Germantown
Community Forum, is now scheduled
JAY GOLDEN, manager at the RKO Palace,
Robinson" and "Pinocchio"
before the Women's Clubs of Dela-
was the principal speaker at a meet-
of the preparation back of every suc-
ing of the "Adventui-es in Business" group cessful motion picture ivas told at a publuare
county.
of the Central YMCA Monday night . lie lecture at Hobart College in Geneva
Sally Fisher, Allied, has moved from the Schine Theatres here are sponsoring a last week by William Benfield Pressey,
Stephen Girard to the Parkway, her first motion picture news broadcast over WSAY professor of English at Dartmouth Col- '
step toward the Social Register . . . Murray
Beier and Harold Dietz got the co-
were rushed here, shown at the Temple "Professor of Hollywood." He spent six
of the Louis-Godoy fight lege. Pressey is known at Dartmouth as
operation of the censor board on the Louis- and Capitol the next day after the bout months in Hollywood as technical advisor.
Godoy fight film, and were able to get the
ill to travel for the Police Ball
on Valentine's Day, Ben Bernie had as
film on the street the day after the fight.
Playing its third week at Loew's Rochester.
"Gone With the Wind" has broken
The censors came down specially on Saturday
pinch-hitter Richard Himber and his or-
boxoffice records. For the three weeks,
morning and opened the office chestra.
to
the picture, according to Manager Lester
review the film . . . 20th-Pox has held
three screenings of "Grapes of Wrath"
"The Fighting 69th" played three weeks Pollock, has taken in $110,000. Previous,
to
here,
win
one week at the
doubtful exhibitors. One RKO Palace, where record holder was "The Cockeyed World"
screening was
boxoffice returns were big. arid two weeks which, eight years ago, took in $26,000 at
specially for Al Boyd, another for William
at the Regent . . . Vernon
Goldman.
Gray of the RKO Loew's for one week . of the most
publicity department in Buffalo, was a popular short films shown here in a long
all
Earle Sweigert, Paramount head, gets
time is the latest "Information
visitor. He's working on "Swiss Family
r
i
18-B
BOXOFFICE :: February 17, 1940

i
Twentieth-Fox
. . Claude
. . Sam
. . Frank
. . Ian
. . . Latest
. . Deepest
. . Barry
WASIIHIIIIIMCGTOM
route to Florida . . .
T SCHMERTZ, 20th-Fox's Cleveland
branch manager, visited the Row en
Ray dinger, formerly
associated with Ross Federal, paid a
visit . . .
to the Metro exchange Jake
Milstein, well known along the Row, also
was a visitor.
Metro Items: Rudy Berger will spend
his vacation in Miami .
Scully
journeyed to Boston to insit with his mother,
who is ailing . . . Harry Cohen, together
with Mrs. Cohen and daughter,
will trek to Miami for a fortnight . . . Mrs.
Esther Blendman has been checked off
the sick list . . . Carlton Duffus is doing
his best to shake the flu.
Warner theatre news: Harry Anger and
his family have been confined to their
home with illness . . . Chas. McGcwan of
the contract department visited Staunton
and Hagerstown to arrange for the opening
of "GWTW" . Land, manager
of the Kennedy, became the proud
daddy of a girl . . . Eddie Duchin and his
band will headline the stage show next
week.
. . . Dick
Helen Schultz, Paramount contract clerk,
will vacation for three weeks amidst the
palms a7id orange blossoms
Doyle is representing Paramount as salesman
in the Virginia territory . . . Jack
Fruchtman is back on the job . . B. F.
.
Southern, State. Clarksville, has recovered
from a severe siege of illness.
The house in Amelia was forced to close
due to the effects of the severe storm
that swept Virginia Mellitts of
Dentonia, Sam
.
Eisenstein of Annapolis,
and Leon Zeller of Baltimore visited along
the Row ... It is reported that a new
colored house is to be built on Carey St.,
Richmond, and also that Lichtman theatres
plan to build in the same neighborhood.
reports: Mrs. Sa7n
Wheeler and daughter, Joan, are enjoying
the sunny clime of Miami . . . The
exchange finished in first place in the
short subject drive and second place in
the feature drive, the success of which
will reivard each employe with two weeks
salary, loith added bonus to the rnanager,
salesmen aiid bookers . Sichelman,
son of Ira, celebrates his first birthday
Mary Hughes and Edith Silverberg
today . . .
have been confined to their homes
\imth the grippe Sara Young advises
. . .
that she received her early training m the
motion picture field while serving as secretary
to Captain Holland, who produced
and directed silent films in a New England
studio.
Mount Pleasant Reopened
Schenectady—The former Mount Pleas-
|int, closed several months for remodeling
pnd redecorating, has been opened as the
«^etro. R. Brodkin, operator of a house
In New York, is the new lessee.
Closes Out Competition
Warrensburg, N. Y.—Jerry LaRocque of
he Shadowland meets the competition of
iJgh school basketball games by closing
he night the cagesters perforn-i.
Kallett Annexing Three
Resort Town Theatres
situation. Sid Cohen is the exhibitor in
Woodridge.
Kallett circuit operated theatres, on
lease, in three summer resorts last year.
FLASHES
REVIEW
BAKER'S WIFE, THE (Independent)—Were
it not for brief spasms of what certain audience
elements might term indelicacy, this
superb French production might slide very
comfortably into that "best" category of
timeless Gallic wit. As a compound of
comedy, drama, morality and passion it
manifests an earthy, realistic pattern of
rural French Ufa that should make it a
"must see" on the list of every mature
theatregoer. The English titles by John
Erskine are delight in themselves.
a
EAST SIDE KIDS (Mono)—This sociological
slum reform story is routine and its performers
are too affected. Cast features the
"East Side Kids," and they are no Dead
Enders. Bob Hill directed.
MAN FROM DAKOTA. THE (M-G-M)—Civil
war melodrama which should prove welcome
entertainment for Wallace Beery fans
and those who are satisfied with suspenseful
actions virithout being too analytical of
story consistencies, acting and direction.
Edward Chodorov produced; Leslie Fenton
directed.
SEVENTEEN (Para)—From seven to 70, all
ages and all audiences probably will acclaim
this one of the warmest, most
poignantly human comedies of the season.
Booth Tarkington's famous story of adolescence
has been skilfully modernized, retaining
withal the irresistible appeal that
has made it virtually a modem classic,
Jackie Cooper wins new laurels in this
title role. Stuart Walker produced; Louis
King directed.
WOMEN WITHOUT NAMES (Para)—Formulized
yarn of the falsely accused man and
woman imprisoned for a murder they
did not commit. The heroics to which the
dauntless lass resorts to establish their innocence,
fails to elevate the picture above
the status of a low bracket program supporter.
Eugene Zukor produced; Robert
Florey
directed.
COMPLETE REVIEWS on the above
pictures will appear in an early issue
of BOXOFFICE,
BAIILTIIMIORIE
J^OBERT ASHCROFT, manager of the
Albany—The Kallett circuit, whose central
Apollo, is sick with the flu. In Bob's
point is Oneida, will extend operations absence, Eddie Wyatt will take care of the
into the southern Catskill Mountain region
house and Lee Goldsmith, assistant at the
by taking over the Rivoli, South Falls-
burgh: the Strand, Loch Sheldrake, and the
Apollo,
Yes.
will
it's
take over
wedding
at
bells
the Preston
for
. . ,
bumblebee
Lyceum, Woodridge. All three are Sullivan
Nathan Cantor, Astor . . . Bill Breimann
county resorts. The change in South manager. Ambassador, is under the doc-
Fallsburgh and Loch Sheldrake will not
become effective until Labor Day, according
tor's care is watching his diet . . .
Deepest sympathy goes to Elwood Lavin,
and
to a Filmrow repoi't. Jack Kaplan is assistant manager of the Patterson, on
the present operator in these two spots. the death of his father , Goldman,
of Regent, on his last visit to Wash-
The Rivoli runs the year around, although
its playing time is reduced during the winter
months. The Strand is a summer
ington reportedly had words with a certain
brunette in the Monogram exchange
to leave for a mid-season
vacation in Florida are Gus Nolte, his
father, and Bill Hicks of the Hampden.
The offices of the MPTO of Md. and
101 Local Operators Union are luidergoing
extensive improvements . . . Tailspin
Ernie Woods has just finished recording
the narrative for film which he made for
the telephone company called "Laying a
Telephone Cable Across the Bay." Narrative
was done by Raymond Tompkins,
local news commentator . . . Every afternoon
that Leo McGreevey. manager of the
Cameo, is off you will find him, in the
park behind his baby's carriage . . . Miss
Marie Presstman, member of the state
censor board, spoke on "Films Today" at
a luncheon of the Women's City Club.
Joe Fields, Rivoli, has one of the most
palacial homes in town. Now it has a
swimming pool and a western bar that has
everything from soup to slot machines
. . . Wilbur Brizendine, Rialto, after a
workout on the ice hockey arena, turns
down the radiators in his office . . . Ask
Harold Grott, Met, how he got the waves
in his hair.
Esra Stone, who is the current attraction
at the Hippodrome, visited all of the
crippled patients at Kernan's Hospital
and took the hospital by storm . . . I. M.
Rappaport, Hippodrome, had a coast-tocoast
broadcast of the Aldrich family direct
from the stage at 8 p. m. last Tuesday
night. Bernard Seaman, manager,
handled the broadcast ... A real contrast
betiueen the past and the present occurred
when Harry Meyerberg of the Lexivay
showed "Birth of a Nation" at advanced
prices while directly across the
street at Loew's Century "GWTW" loas
in its third week. Just around the corner
at the Maryland, Lillian Gish appeared on
the stage . sympathy goes to
Howard Cooling, Maryland censor inspector,
whose mother died in Barton.
The Globe goes in for stage shows . . .
Rodney Collier, manager of Warner's
Stanley, invited members of the Press post
of the American Legion to see "The Fighting
69th," now in its second week.
Takes in Films
Chicago—Effective with the February
23 issue. Radio Guide, national radio
weekly, will include a section devoted to
films. The name will be changed to
Movie and Radio Guide.
Adapts "Country Lcrwyer"
Hollywood—Edward T. Lowe will adapt
"The Country Lawyer" for Producer Stuart
Walker at Paramount.
OXOFFICE : : February 17, 1940 18-C

. . Dan
. . Nick
. . The
. . Sam
. . Zulie
'
B AMY
A IL
BRTHUR J. NEWMAN, Republic manager,
was in New York attending a
two-day sales meeting. Incidentally, the
local exchange ranked about first in the
contract and playdate drive, with two
weeks remaining Houlihan, 20th
.
Century-Fox booker; Frank Williams. Benton
circuit booker, and Seth Field, Schine
circuit statistician, left by automobile for
Miami a few hours before snow blanketed
the Albany area .
Goggan, operator
of Town Hall, Cazenovia, has been one
of the exhibitors vacationing in Florida.
Christopher J. Buckley, operator of two
theatres (only one has been open since
last spring) in Bennington. Vt., is or will
be taking sunbaths in Miami. Buckley
was Albany's largest theatre operator before
Si Fabian took over the string. Grand
Amateur Night, which Larry Cowen has
nursed into a big business getter, now has
a radio sponsor, Rockwood Candy.
Bill Kraemer, Schine booker, visited
Filmrow exchanges. Ditto, Ollie Mallory
of the Starr, Corinth: Jerry LaRocque of
Shadoivland, Warrensburg; Leonard Rosenthal
of the State, Troy; Sid Dwore,
operator of tioo houses in Schenectady;
George Thornton of Orpheum, Saugerties
. . . Si Fabian here for first visit since returning
from Miami, where Division Manager
Lou Golding is now resting . . . Reported
that Johnny Babbitt, formerly with
Paramount, goes to RKO as assistajit
booker . . . Henrietta Schoonbeck, at one
time on staff of 20th Century-Fox, is now
stenographer to Booker Al Marchetti at
Universal.
Edward J. Purcell, with Albany branch
of Ross Federal Service, has recovered
from an illness which confined him to a
ho.spital . . . Emma Decker, secretary to
Ralph Unks, manager of same office, will
be married to Fred Spath, Hudson garage
proprietor, February 25. After a honeymoon,
couple will live in Hudson, Miss
Decker's home town. Girls in 20th Century-Fox,
where Miss Decker worked before
joining Ross Service, gave her a
shower and an electrical equipment gift
at Kenmore Hotel. Edward A. Golden,
Monogram general sales manager, expected
here about March 18 in connection with
the playdate drive . . . Warner's Ritz ballyhooed
"The Invisible Man Returns" by
having a man tramp the streets with an
outfit that gave the illusion his head was
a spring water bottle. Usher Jack Haas
wore the rig.
Knickerbocker Press storied that Paramounfs
"The Great Victor Herbert" had
been chosen winner of Boxoffice Blue
Ribbon Award for January. Incidentally.
Walter Connolly, who had the title role,
won many friends here as a character actor
with Proctor Players at Harmanus
Bleecker Hall in early 1920's. His wife,
Nedda Harrigan (daughter of the famous
Ned Harrigan of Harrigan & Hart), was a
member of the company. So were Minna
Gombell, now a comedienne in pictures
but then a leading lady, and Pierre Watkin,
also a current film player.
A local paper revealed the Hays office
had ordered deletion of two lines in Mae
West-W. C. Fields' picture, "My Little
18-D
Chickadee," before it was screened at
Warner's Strand. By a coincidence, it was
another Universal film, "Destry," on which
excisions were made at direction of the
Hays organization, during a run at Strand
"Gone With the
two months ago . . .
Wind" was held over for another seven
days at Bleecker Hall, giving it a consecutive
run of three weeks in Albany—most
unusual. In Troy, the engagement was extended
four days.
Says New York Has
Its Own "Grapes"
Albany—For the second time within a
week. "Grapes of Wrath" was projected
into the headlines here when George A.
Hall of New York, secretary of the State
Child Labor Committee, told the Monarch
Club that sections of rural New York
have counterparts of John Steinbeck's
characters, like the Joad family, hiring
out for $150 a summer.
Hall, who has served 34 years in his
position, showed Monarch Club members
about 50 pictures of conditions on upstate
"plantations" where bean and pea crops
are harvested.
He estimated 25,000 workers,
many of them small children, are recruited
every winter by padrones (bosses)
in the slums of such upstate cities as Buffalo,
Rochester, Syracuse and Utica, for
family-unit summer labor. Most of them,
Hall said, are Polish or Italian; the seasonal
wage of the four-family group is
$150. He declared that children as young
as six, seven and eight do back-breaking
work in the fields. The families are illclad
and ill-fed, and the conditions under
which they work will "open the eyes" of
city observers when the privately-financed
Child Labor Committee presents its report
to the legislature, according to Hall.
He exhibited pictures showing children
packed into trucks which take turns at "60
miles an hour." Hall explained a bill in
the legislature aims to lessen this hazard
by limiting the number riding in trucks
and providing seats for at least one third
of the load. Hall described the plantation
camps, the padrones' duties and "company"
stores.
Investigating one group of 764 laborers.
Hall declared 45 per cent were found to be
less than 16 years of age, 29 per cent less
than 14, and 17 per cent less than 12. He
said the committee estimates "somewhere
between one-half and one-third of the
25,000 are less than 16."
New Corporations
Albany—Exclusive Pictures Corp., New
York, has been formed with Murray M.
Sumner, Irving Markowitz and Samuel
Spyer as incorporators. Another new
corporation is Justine Tlieatres Corp., to
conduct a theatrical business in the Bronx.
Incorporators are David L. Minkoff, Paul
P. Weiss, Andrew Kreiss and Albert L.
Schwarz.
Co-Op After Members
Detroit—Increasing capitalization to
$60,000, Cooperative Theatres of Michigan
is after additional members.
RIIICIIHIIMIOMD
TJEPORTS of two colored theatres to be
built on West Cary, one by the Lichtman
circuit, the other by Herbert Green,
former house manager of the Carillon and
a native of Petersburg . . . Charlie Den- m
mead, manager of the theatre in West
Point, has made several trips here in search
of electrical equipment for his house .
Ben Pitts, well-known Virginia exhibitor
and one of Fredericksburg's leading citizens,
has been named to a chamber of
commerce committee, which will take an
active part in approving or opposing bills
of interest to that locality.
The nth annual Theatrical Ball held
Valentine's night at Tantilla Garden, ivas
a big success . . . Floyd Staivls and Bill
Attmore are due back from Florida . . .
Dave Peterson, Altec engineer from Washington,
has been here relieving Mervin Ullman
who is sick . . . Col. Peter Sau7iders.
chairman of the board of censorship, has
been confined to his bed . . . The Louis-
Godoy fight pictures opened here at the
National . . . Robert Brooks, operator at
the Henrico, is the proud daddy of a neiv
girl . . . Walter Hastings is now a member
of the service staff at the Colonial.
.
Elizabeth Quisenberry, cashier at the
is State, sick. Kathleen Benson is substituting
. . . Nick Haefele. Baltimore manager
for National Theatre Supply, was in
town State bowling team took
three games from the Park boys and
jumped to first place in the standings for
the first half . . . Jerry Murphy, salesman
for 20th Century-Fox, was in town. Also
Bob Folliard, manager of RKO's Washington
office . . . Mrs. Peace, cashier at the
Venus, is back at work after being out
sick for a week . Bendheim jr., general
manager of Neighborhood Tlieatres,
Allen Sparrow,
was out ill several days . . .
Loew's manager, and Charlie Yerby, his
assistant, are planning vacations after
"Gone With the Wind" . Carter,
cashier at the National, is stUl ill.
BROADWAY
(Continued from page 17)
attractive contract and a fat bonus for
signing. Broun ivent to his friend, Arthur
Brisbane, for advice. On Brisbane's
desk ivas a picture of Brisbane's father,
a noted liberal in his day. After considerable
discussion, Broun commented on the
photo. "Your father has a nice head,"
Broun told Brisbane. Brisbane luas quiet
for a minute and said, "he never ivould
have worked for Hearst." "There's my
answer." Broun replied quickly.
418,632 See Scenics
Richmond—Pictures illustrative of the
historic, scenic, and recreational features
of Virginia were shown during 1939 to
418,632 persons in 44 states and the District
of Columbia, N. Clarence Smith,
chairman of the Virginia conservation
commission, has announced.
Handle Handy Industrials
Albany—Albany and Buffalo exchanges
of Harry Berkson, Monogram franchise
holder, are now distributing Jam Handy
indflstrials for General Motors-Chevrolet.
BOXOFFICE :: February 17, 1940

The never-ending struggle between labor
:'d producers, after an armistice of near-
three months, has again manifested it-
j
HOLLYWOOD
lews AND VIEWS OF THE PRODUCTION
South Americans Pick
'Wuthering Heights'
"Wuthering Heights" has been chosen
by the motion picture critics of South
America as the best English-language
film produced in 1939, according to the
information received by Producer Samuel
Goldwyn. Official notification came
from Charles De Cruz, editor of "Heraldo
de Cinematografista," a Buenos
Aires trade
paper.
^abor Parleys Again
!rab the Spotlight
;lf as the film colony's most significant
irrent problem with the beginning of
inferences between the producers, the
:TSE and other American Federation of
Ibor crafts, the outcome of which will
iportantly affect some 15,000 screen
'rkers.
Producers are endeavoring to demonfate
that the 10 per cent wage increase
finted last October should be rescinded,
Ed have amassed a quantity of figures
jrtaining to income and expenditures to
IDve their point, as claimed by E. J.
hnnix. that such a wage boost will prove
'
iinous." The conference was agreed
ion last December when the unions, at
tit time, overrode Mannix's protests.
} presenting the producers in the negotiatns
is Y. Frank Freeman, while William
I)ff. lATSE representative, is sitting in
f
the laborites.
Vriting finis to one of the most bitter
Ler-union wars ever fought in HoUyvod,
the Screen Playwrights, Inc., petitned
for and received producer permissn
to dissolve their contract, leaving the
f[d in the undisputed control of the
S-een Writers Guild. John Lee Mahin,
S president, explained in his request that
t SP's membership had dwindled to
oy 26 and declared it "obviously makes
n sense" to keep going. The agreement
sU had five years to run and had stood
ii the way of the signing of an official
P ducer-SWG pact. The SWG, mean-
Wile. held a routine board meeting. It is
sliding by pending the return of ballots
iriled to its membership asking for opin-
JC5 on the Neely bill, and on the results
(HollyiDOod Office—Suite 219 at 6404 Hollywood Blvd.; Ivan Spear, Western Manager)
Other Problems Fade as Time
Nears for Awarding ''Oscars''
Announcement of official nominations coach." Walter Wanger; "Wizard of Oz."
for achievements in the eight major divisions
M-G-M, and "Wuthering Heights," Sam-
of the 12th annual Academy uel Goldwyn.
Awards selections has relegated labor Best performance by an actor—Robert
strife, the war abroad and the myriad Donat in "Goodbye, Mr. Chips." Clark
other industry problems to the hinterlands Gable in "Gone With the Wind," Laurence
for the balance of the month. Seized upon Olivier in "Wuthering Heights." Mickey
Rooney in "Babes in Arms." M-G-M. and
as a prime topic for conjecture is the
identity of the possible winner in each
classification, with ballots for final selections
already mailed out to some 12,000
eligible voters.
Following are the nominations, from
each division of which one winner will be
named at the Awards Banquet February 29
Outstanding picture— "Dark Victory,"
Warner Bros.: "Gone With the Wind,"
Selznick International; "Goodbye, Mr.
Chips," M-G-M (England) : "Love Affair,"
RKO Radio; "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington."
Columbia; "Ninotchka." M-G-M;
"Of Mi.ce and Men." Hal Roach; "Stageof
which the groups' official stand will be
taken.
The Screen Actors Guild is awaiting
word from producers as to when parleys
are to be resumed concerning reclassification
of extras and adjustments in their
wage scales. Directorate is also set to consider
the report tarned over to it by private
investigators retained to probe
charges of favoritism in the operation of
Central Casting, on which conferences
with producers will be sought.
Other labor developments;
The Screen Office Employes Guild, with
membership now past the 1,300 mark, has
appointed a committee to draft a constitution
and. thereafter, to open negotiations
with producers for a contract.
Jurisdictional dispute between the
Scenic Artists Ass'n and the Motion Picture
Painters Local 644 over studio scenic
artists was discussed at a National Labor
Relations Board conference. Painters are
challenging the SAA's claim to control
over the craft, with indications an election
will be ordered by the NLRB.
RKO Signs Colman
Ronald Colman has been signed by RKO
Radio to appear opposite Ginger Rogers
in "Good Luck." a story by Sacha Guitry.
which George Haight will produce. Allan
Scott is doing the screen play.
James Stewart in "Mr. Smith Goes to
Washington."
Best performance by an actress—Bette
Davis in "Dark Victory," Irene Dunne in
"Love Affair," Greta Garbo in "Ninotchka,"
Greer Garson in "Goodbye, Mr.
Chips," and Vivien Leigh in "Gone With
the Wind."
Best performance by an actor in a supporting
role—Brian Aherne in "Juarez,"
Warner Bros.; Harry Carey in "Mr. Smith
Goes to Washington." Columbia; Brian
Donlevy in "Beau Geste." Paramount;
Thomas Mitchell in "Stagecoach." Walter
Wanger; Claude Rains in "Mr. Smith Goes
to Washington."
Bast performance by an actress in a supporting
role—Olivia de Havilland in "Gone
With the Wind." Geraldine Fitzgerald in
"Wuthering Heights." Hattie McDaniel in
"Gone With the Wind," Edna May Oliver
in "Drums Along the Mohawk," 20th Century-Fox;
and Maria Ouspenskaya in
"Love Affair."
Best direction—Victor Fleming, for
"Gone With the Wind," Sam Wood for
"Goodbye, Mr. Chips," Frank Capra for
"Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." John
Ford for "Stagecoach." and William Wyler
for "Wuthering Heights."
Best screenplay— "Gone With the Wind."
Sidney Howard; "Goodbye. Mr. Chips."
R. C. Sherriff. Claudine West. Eric Maschwitz;
"Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,"
Sidney Buchman; "Ninotchka," Charles
Brackett, Billy Wilder, Walter Reisch;
"Wuthering Heights," Charles MacArthur,
Ben Hecht.
Best original motion picture story
"Bachelor Mother," Felix Jackson; "Love
Affair," Mildred Cram. Leo McCarey; "Mr.
Smith Goes to Washington." Lewis R. Foster;
"Ninotchka," Melchior Lengyel;
"Young Mr. Lincoln," Lamar Trotti.
Balloting will be tabulated by Price,
Waterhouse & Co. The banquet committee
headed by Mervyn LeRoy is accepting reservations
for the affair, to be held in the
Cocoanut Grove of the Ambassador Hotel.
BXOmCE February 17. 1940 H 19

. .
. . One
: February
Rally Hollywood Citizenry to
Fling Back Dies Aspersions
Slow to get under way, but gaining proportions
resembling those of a snowball
rolling downhill, is Hollywood's resentment
to the blast directed against the film
colony by Rep. Martin Dies in the first of
a Libert?! Magazine series titled "The Reds
in Hollywood." First direct refutation of
Dies' charges came from the Hollywood
League for Democratic Action and appeared
exclusively in Boxoffice. This was
followed by a statement issued by Samuel
Goldwyn announcing he had asked Dies
to retract his declaration, in the magazine
article, that Goldwyn was present at
a roundtable discussion at which Dies declared
producers were almost unanimous
in the belief that Fascism and Nazism, not
Communism, are the real menaces.
Now liberal and conservative elements
alike are marshaling their forces to con-
New York— "Through an examination
of bank accounts and sworn statements of
former officials and organizers who had
charge to some extent of the collection of
funds from Hollywood, it can be established
beyond any doubt that large sums
of money have been collected by the Communist
Party from party members, sympathizers,
fellow travelers and dupes con-
Goldwyn has apparently received no answer
to his telegram to the Congressman,
which the producer prefaced by a statement
to the press declaring he feels Dies
"has done a very fine job in bringing all
un-American activities to light in this
country" and opined "it would be a mistake
to permit him to have gained any
false impression from the very brief talk
we had during his visit here." Goldwyn
declared he owed it "not only to myself
but to this industry to make certain that
no inadvertent misapprehension" should
go unchallenged. In his wire the producer
contended that he participated in no
round-table discussions with the Congressman,
but, on the contrary, met him only
once—very briefly—at a luncheon given by
Joseph Schenck. Goldwyn declared the
conversation at that time consisted of "I
am pleased to meet you, Mr. Dies—I think
you are doing a fine job in fighting un-
American activities," and no more.
Dies on Hollywood
has contributed often to the party's writings.
"He was assigned to Los Angeles to
;
i
.
.
•
'
increase both the party's revenue and its
numerical strength in the Hollywood area.
He replaced 'John Roe' and he took over
the organization and collection of funds
vince Dies that he "ain't seen nothin' yet"
from Hollywood, He was under instructions
in a campaign of rebuttal directed against
strengthening of the party's organization
the Congressman from Texas.
nected with the film industry." m the Hollywood district, but also to devote
special attention to the development
Having duly read and absorbed the contents
of Dies' first article, members of the This is Representative Martin Dies
Screen Writers. Screen Actors and Screen
again. The chairman of the House Committee
on Un-American activities comes to lywood Anti-Nazi League and to trade-
of cultural organizations such as the Hoi-
Directors Guilds called a meeting of their
inter-talent council for February 15 to suggest
the fore once more in a second article in union problems. He was also instructed
conduct an campaign among
not only to bring about a general
Liberty, this one entitled "Is Communism to intensive
and discuss possible plans of action.
If and when a suitable scheme is evolved Invading the Movies?" His initial effort the craftsmen in the different studios.
by this group, a report will be presented was dubbed "Tlie Reds in Hollywood."
After liquidation of the more loosely organized
groups "the Communist Party or-
to the board of directors of each Guild,
Began Drive in 1934
with joint action along agreed-to lines expected
Dies says the party began a concentrated ganization in Los Angeles followed a deficlared
shortly thereafter. Dies had de-
drive in Hollywood in 1934, when it realized nite policy of attempting to influence the
in his initial article he had been the potential value of the industry from production of pictures so as to prevent any
informed "some of the actoi-s and screen both a financial and a propaganda standpoint.
The Tom Mooney case, he adds, a number of occasions 'John Roe' discussed
anti-Communist pictures," Dies says. "On
writers leaned very much to the left," but
that producers were powerless to cope "served as an entering wedge, to which with leading members of the Hollywood
with the situation "because they were under
contract with these actoi-s and writers." gave large sums of money and permitted on some occasions he would obtain their
many of the Hollywood actors and writers groups what their attitude would be, and
Act as "CommunilY Group"
their names to be used."
assistance in stopping, or in trying to stop,
Action as a "community group" representing
"Hollywood at its best" will be un-
nicknames "John Roe" was able "to start
A Communist Party member whom such production . of the purposes
Dies
of the Communist groups was to endeavor
to prepare the manuscripts
dertaken at a mass meeting sponsored by the organization of sympathetic Hollywood
and select the i
casts wherever possible. They did everythe
Hollywood League for Democratic Action
and scheduled for February 21 at Through the year 1935 these groups grew
professional people into small groups .
thing in their power to encourage the pro- (
duction of anti-Nazi pictures."
Philharmonic auditorium. Spokesmen declare
it i.s their intention to "make it clear Hollywood district. They were later di-
Spread "Propaganda" in Films I
to number 42 professional people from the
the declared Dies that
to Mr. Dies" that his charges are ridiculous
vided into eight study groups, each group It is belief of the i
and that, particularly, "Fury," having a party discussion leader who dis-
Communists succeeded to "some extent" in •
"Juarez" and "Blockade," which the Congressman
indicted as examples of "subtle of increasing the party membership and media of certain films, "so cleverly done
cussed Communist Party theory and ways spreading subtle propaganda through the
Communistic influence" are the type of carty financial contributions from the Hollywood
that it was difficult for the average man
area."
pictures they want to see in the future.
Most liberal organizations in the film Dies goes on to describe a party meeting
to
the continual stressing of the weak points
detect." The strategy. Dies says, was
of the American system without giving due
colony, including the Motion Picture Artists
in August. 1936, which Earl Browder atcratic
Committee, the Motion Picture Demotended.
The latter is said to have "wanted credit to its accomplishments and the em-
Committee and the Associated Film to use the meeting as the basis for the collection
of a $10,000 campaign fund from economic systems."
phasis of the "defects of our political and,
Audiences, are cooperating with the HLDA
>,
in planning the event. Dorothy Parker the Hollywood party members and .sympathizers.
Dies urges the "responsible leaders of thej
and Donald Ogden Stewart will be the
great film industry to cooperate with USt
This meeting was organized and
chief sneakers and Mayor Fletcher Bowron
held at a home in Hollywood. Present were and to clean their house of un-American'
of Los Anseles, and Lieut.-Gov. Ellis some prominent actors and screen writers, influences. Films must cease to be used as
Patterson have been invited to attend. the majority of whom were members of the vehicle for the dissemination of the
This "emergency" session has, for the the organized groups. Incidentally, it can Marxian views. While it is undoubtedly
time being, sidetracked other liberal activity
in the film colony. The HLDA im-
the members of these groups bought Comity
of actors, screen writers, and producei-s
be established by qualified witnesses that true," he concludes, "that the great majormediately
postponed the general membership
munist Party stamps under instructions are patriotic Americans, and that most of
meeting which had been called for from the Communist Party to destroy the motion pictures which have been promunist
February 13. as well as plans for routine them."
duced are free of un-American propa-'
meetings by the MPDC and other groups. In July or August, 1936, Dies continues, ganda, there is no occasion for the production
To date no other comments have been
elicited either in support of, or opposition
the Central Committee of the Communist
Party sent to Los Angeles one of its principal
of any motion picture the subtle ef-ii
feet of which is to encourage or promoted
cultural organizers who, he claims, Socialism or Communism."
to. Dies and his magazine series.
Samuel
20
BOXOFFICE :
17, 1940

I
'
Metro's
ANNOUNCEMENT of the nominations
for the annual Academy
Awards is again the signal for
starting Hollywood's legion of Monday
morning quarterbacks on a long end run
of criticisms, questions, heckling and prognostications.
From now until the night of
the Oscar banquet the railbirds who insist
on carrying the ball at all times—even
though it usually develops into an eightball—will
have a field day.
Loudest of the '"tain't fair" bleats which
are echoing and re-echoing through the
cinema city hills concentrates on "Gone
With the Wind" and the prominent place
that picture and those who are connected
with its making—both staff and cast
have won on the nominations lists.
A quick gander reveals that "GWTW"
and its people appear as nominees in 11
out of 13 possible classifications, the closest
contender being "Mr. Smith Goes to
Washington," which places with 10 out of
14 possible nominations.
A ballot so dominated by "GWTW," the
hecklers contend, is as one-sided as a Joe
Louis fight. So many established precedents
and records have been and are
being shattered by the David O. Selznick
picture, they argue, that placing it in competition
with even the best of a normal
innual crop of Hollywood product is defilitely
on the unfair side. To bolster their
obvious, albeit fallacious, observations, they
joint to the undeniable facts that the
jicturization of Margaret Mitchell's bestieller
cost more money than any film ever
oroduced, that it was accorded more su-
.jerlative and widespread critical acclaim,
iind that, if present patronage is criterion,
it will do more business.
SPEARHEADS
Uy Iv'an ^^pea^
But there is one more fact, equally undeniable,
and of which the critics of Academy
procedure seem to have lost all sight.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and
Sciences was organized on and is dedicated
to encouraging and recognizing just
exactly those cinematic achievements of
which "GWTW" is such a magnificent
demonstration—the making of better and
more popular motion pictures.
If one producer, through exercising extraordinary
daring, vision and ability, contrives
to make a picture which so overshadows
contemporary effort that placing
it in competition is indicted as "unfair."
he is certainly richly deserving of
all of the kudos that established Academy
operations in the selection of awards
can bestow upon him—even though his
landslide victory partially excludes those
whose accomplLshments and product would
be Oscar material under more normal competitive
conditions.
What with "Stanley and Livingstone"
and "Northwest Passage," Spencer Tracy
will probably go down in history as the
walkingest actor of all times.
They're calling them the Warden Brothers
now.
Paramount had no sooner announced it
would premiere "The Biscuit Eater" in
Albany, Ga., than a tornado came along
and virtually wiped out the town. It might
work if the studio, in the interest of world
peace, announced a premiere for Berlin.
Dorothy Lamour has been named a member
of the National Federation of Music
Clubs of America "because of her deep
interest in the work of the Federation in
furthering the cause of good music in
films."
Dottie could very easily demonstrate her
sincere interest in this worthy cause—
through the simple expedient of not singing.
Boris Morros announces his next picture
will be "Lysistrata," the Greek comedy,
which is hardly a change of pace inasmuch
as his first production effort, "The
Flying Deuces," was Greek to most of the
critics—and, judging by the grosses, the
customers. At least the comedy, if any, will
be an innovation.
Paramount will make "Reap the Wild
Wind," with Claudette Colbert penciled in
for the femme lead. David Selznick and
Metro seem to be doing a lot of reaping
on a wind that is definitely wild as concerns
revenue.
Redskins, Rooney and Risible
Leo. who contributed three of the eight
eatures for the week's preview parade,
/ould have batted 1,000 per cent if he
ladn't ignobly fanned out his last time
t bat. As is, the Culver City film factory
lUst be credited with two home runs,
lither one of which could qualify as the
>eek's
best.
"Northwest Passage" can, with
hesitation, be accorded a position as
ne of the most gripping and spectacular
dveniure films ever made and without
'uestion the best of its type to come from
'lat studio since "Mutiny on the Bounty."
i'he stirring—although perhaps a bit
'loody—saga of Rogers' Rangers, that
re-Revolutionary band of pioneers, was
•ansferred to the screen with terrific enjrtainment
impact in a cunningly con-
•ived screenplay by Laurence Stallings
nd Talbot Jennings, who based their work
!a the first half of Kenneth Roberts' bestfiling
novel. Few pictures have been ac-
)rded more lavish and impressive proaction
treatment than that given this by
unt Stromberg, who saw to it that in
/ery technical detail it approaches per-
I'Ction. Too. the Technicolor in which it
as filmed greatly enhances its attraction,
ing Vidor directed with a sure hand and
le cast, from Spencer Tracy down, is
agnificent.
The same studio should have another
solid boxoffice hit in "Young Tom Edison,"
a deft blend of humor and hearttugs
which allows Mickey Rooney a free
hand to deliver the type of performance in
which he is so adept. Bradbury Foote,
Dore Schary and Hugo Butler did a masterful
job of correlating the material concerning
Edison's adolescence into a literate
and entertaining screenplay, a script that
purportedly is biographically factual. The
production mounting by John W. Considine
jr., with Orville O. Dull as associate,
is likewise excellent, and Norman Taurog
contributed faultless direction.
Two of filmdom's favorite comediennes
returned to the screen after too-long absences
and in both instances the results
were top-side entertainment.
Universal has a surefire success in "My
Little Chickadee," in which, for the first
time, the comedy talents of Mae West and
W. C. Fields are combined. Miss West and
Fields, receiving credit for the script,
packed it with laugh-getting situations,
with curvaceous Mae delivering a standout
performance in her best hip-swaying
fashion. Edward Cline's direction successfully
keeps proceedings as well under
control as possible, under the circumstances,
and Lester Cowan merits accolades
as the producer.
A more subdued and appealing Martha
Raye, plus a highly original and gag-laden
story idea, make a topnotch bundle of entertainment
out of Paramount's "The
Farmer's Daughter." The wide-mouthed
comedienne dominates the proceedings,
hitting high spots of hilarity with clownish
gags,
delivering two songs in first-rate
style and in general demonstrating that,
with proper handling, she still has plenty
of what it takes to draw them in at the
boxoffice. Lewis R. Poster based his highstepping
script on a story by Delmar
Daves, Producer William C. Thomas accorded
it adequate production moimting
and James Hogan imparted spirited direction.
On the action front appeared a pair of
very worth-while programmers in RKO
Radio's "The Marines Fly High" and Columbia's
"Outside the Three Mile Limit."
The first-named is another saga of the
marines-have-landed variety, its locale a
Central American republic and its motivation
a bandit uprising. Directorial credits
were shared by the late George NichoUs jr.
and Ben Stoloff. the picture coming from
the Robert Sisk production unit.
Gambling on the high seas, murder and
I Continued on page 23)
B XOFFICE ; : February 17, 1940 21

. . . Edwin
j
'
Trend to Out-of-Town
Premieres Is Firm
Rolling again, and in earnest, is the outof-town
premiere bandwagon, with three
fair is being planned on a similar scale
to the Warner "Dodge City" junket last
year. Gov. E. P. Carville of Nevada and
Gov. Henry H. Blood of Utah will participate
in the celebration and the studio
has chartered an 18-car train to carry
250 stars, executives and members of the
press from Hollywood to Reno for the
event.
Going stiU further away. Paramount will
unveil "The Biscuit Eater" in Albany,
Ga., April 10, according to plans now being
worked out by Robert Gillham, advertising-publicity
chief, and the studio staff.
Screen celebrities, as well as members of
the Tailwaggers organization, civic notables
and newspapermen from southeastern
states. Jack Moss, who produced, and
Stuart Heisler, who directed—largely on
location near Albany—will head the Hollywood
contingent. Adolph C. Gortatowsky,
Georgia exhibitor, is chairman of the arrangements
committee, and is being assisted
by Y. Prank Freeman jr., of the
studio production department, and Jack
Dailey, of the advertising staff.
Metro selected Port Huron as the premiere
site for "Young Tom Edison" because
that town was the birthplace of the
famous inventor. Some 20,000 residents
of Michigan turned out to see the film in
three theatres. In the vanguard of attending
celebrities were Edsel Ford. Harvey
Firestone jr.. Father Flanagan. John W.
Considine jr., Louis B. Mayer, William
Rodgers, Howard Dietz, Mickey Rooney,
executives of the Edison Co. and General
Electric, and 30 persons who knew Edison
during his Port Huron days.
(2lniinatk5.
LeRoy Prinz, Paramount dance director,
and Mrs. Prinz have pulled out for Central
America on an extended vacation. Prinz
intends to study primitive dancing and
singing in Trinidad. Yucatan and the ancient
Maya territory . . .
forthcoming pictures already scheduled to
make their bows in various locations
throughout the country during the next
William Boyd and
his wife. Grace Bradley, have returned
a tremendous vogue in 1939, was paced
from a month's trip through the east and
south.
in its 1940 revival by the Port Huron,
They attended the President's birthday
three months. The cycle, which had such
Mich., premiere of Metro's "Young Tom
ball in Washington.
Edison" on February 10.
Next to get the signal will be M-G-M's
"Northwest Passage," which will make its
Allan Jones has been delegated by Kansas
State Teachers College to judge its annual
bow in Boise, Idaho, February 20, at two
beauty contest and personally pre-
theatres. The Idaho city was selected because
sent an award to the winner when he appears
of the cooperation lent by its citisent
zens to the studio company which filmed in Pittsburg, Kas., on concert tour
March 6 . . . William Abbott has been reelected
a large portion of the Kenneth Roberts
president of the Paramount Square
best-seller on location at Payette Lakes, Club, studio Masonic organization. Kenneth
resort near Boise. Gov. C. A. Bottolfsen of
Alburg is first vice-president; How-
Idaho will be guest of honor at the premiere,
ard Davis, second vice-president: Roy
which will be attended by mem-
Moyer, third vice-president, and Harry
bers of the cast whose working schedules Grote. secretary-treasurer. The club will
permit them to make the trip.
hold its annual winter dance February 26.
Warner will introduce "Virginia City"
at twin world premieres in Virginia City
and Reno, Nev., March 16, with the program
to include a civic banquet, parades,
showings of the picture at four theatres
and a climactic grand ball. The entire af-
Titled "Dr. Kildare's Girl"
Metro's current "Dr. Kildare" film, featuring
Lew Ayres. has been titled "Dr.
Kildare's Girl." Harold Bucquet directs.
Having completed his latest assignment
for Samuel Goldwyn, Director William
Wyler has trained out for New York, where
he will vacation for several weeks . . .
Members of the board of education of
Los Angeles, and high school principals,
attended a screening of 11 Warner historical
featurettes at the Burbank plant.
The educators are considering the possibility
of using them in their history
courses.
Producers Pictures Course
May Follow Pathe Chart
Fate of Ben Judell's Producers Pictures
Corp. as an independent production unit
hinges upon developments arising following
the return of Robert S. Benjamin,
Pathe Film Corp. attorney, from New York.
Benjamin, heading a committee of PPC
creditors, has been conferring with eastern
Pathe executives concerning the situation
and will call a meeting of the creditors'
committee when he checks back to the
coast in about a week.
Pathe, PPC's largest creditor, holds liens
for laboratory work and negative costs on
seven films turned out by the company.
Benjamin has given his assurance that
every effort will be made to keep PPC in
operation.
Spokesmen declare a new flow of cash
is looked for if and when "Goose Step,"
anti-Nazi film turned out by Judell's unit,
is passed for release in England. Censors
thus far have not okayed it.
Suspension Ends
Olivia de Havilland, under suspension
at Warner for nearly two months, has
had the ban lifted and has been assigned
a topline in "Flight No. 8," an air stewardess
story which Bryan Foy will produce
with Edmund Grainger as associate.
Producer-Director Edward H. Griffith is
motoring through California seeking locations
for his next Paramount assignment
L. Marin, Metro director, is recovering
from a stomach ailment at the
Santa Monica hospital.
Flora Robson, having completed a Warner
acting assignment, has gone to New
York for a stage engagement . . . Warner
officially opened its "roofed ocean" sound
stage at a luncheon party during which
tivo "ships" to be used in "The Sea Hawk''
were christened by Brenda Marshall. Errol
Flynn presided over the ceremonies.
Entertainment details for the Screen
Actors Guild's "Gambol of the Stars," annual
ball to be held February 22, are being
worked out by George Murphy, master
of ceremonies. He has set Eddie Cantor,
Jack Benny, Frank Morgan, Vera Vague,
Dorothy Stone and Charles Collins, Mary
Healy, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy anda
number of other Thespics for turns,
with still more to be added. A self-appointed
"bouncers' committee" includes
James Gleason, Humphrey Bogart, James
Cagney, Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Edgar
Kennedy, Brian Donlevy and Ernest
Ti-uex.
Alan Hale has returned to the Warner
lot after a vacation in San Francisco.
Ginsberg to Paramount
As Freeman's
Aide
Henry Ginsberg will move to Paramount
within two weeks as assistant to Y. Frank
Freeman, vice-president in charge of studio
operations, and will aid in handling
executive matters in connection with the
plant. Ginsberg had, for the past several
years, been vice-president and general
manager of Selznick International, leaving
that position last December.
Henry Duffy has been appointed assistant
to Producer Kenneth Macgowan at
20th Century-Fox, in addition to his present
duties as story advisor. Duffy, former
stage producer, was added to the Westwood
studio staff about a year ago.
Role for Preston Foster in
"North West Mounted"
Paramount has selected Preston Foster
for the lead opposite Madeleine Carroll in
C. B. DeMille's "North West Mounted Po- !-«il
lice." Foster replaces Joel McCrea, who JKO
withdrew after his characterization proved l'*i
too similar to that of Gary Cooper, in the j^JiJe
starring role.
""*e
'^V
22
*
BOXOFFICE : : February 17, 1940
'IIOFF

I
I
I
Continued
Metro Paces Upswing
In Picture Making
Metro, rollicking along with 11 films
in production—busiest spell for Leo in more
than a year—is setting the pace for other
studios planning picture-making upswings
during the remaining winter months, and
again confounding the dopesters who had
predicted a midseason slump throughout
the industry. The Culver City plant, further,
will increase its present speed when,
early in March, the top-budgeted "Boom
Town" gets the go-signal with a quadruple
threat cast in Clark Gable, Claudette
Colbert, Spencer Tracy and Hedy
Lamarr.
Following closely in M-G-M's footsteps
will be the Warner lot in Burbank. which
will gun four high-budgeters during the
balance of this month and in March.
Included are "January Heights." "Brother
Orchid" and "The House on the Hill."
Paramount also has four in line for
production in the immediate future, topped
by C. B. DeMille's "North West Mounted
Police." Republic, with 20 features still
to be made on its 1939-40 quota, will
plunge into a determined drive by charting
three Gene Autry westerns to be made
rapid succession.
in
Columbia moves into line as a contender
for rush-season honors when "Arizona."
its high-cost western, goes into
,vork about March 15. The Clarence Budngton
Kelland story was shelved last Sepember
as a result of the war scare, after
m elaborate location site was constructed
'or it in Arizona. Wesley Ruggles will
produce and direct with Jean Arthur in
he lead.
Director Zolton Korda and Sabu. Indian
:hild star, have arrived from London to
)egin preparations for producing "Jungle
Joy" for United Artists. Producer Alexanler
Korda is now en route from England.
Jhooting space will be lined up upon his
.rrival.
Expected arrivals in the near future are
jracie Fields, English star, and Director
/lonty Banks, who will check in at 20th
;entury-Fox to confer with Robert Kane,
he company's English production chiefain.
concerning "Molly. Bless Her," Miss
'ields' next London-made picture.
^dependent Activity Hums;
by Roach for UA
Continued activity marks the indepenent
production .scene, which got off to a
ood start at the first of the year and has
ot yet slackened perceptibly.
Lining up plans for the 1940-41 season
s a United Artists producer, in conferices
with Murray Silverstone. UA chieflin.
Hal Roach has disclosed he will turn
it six pictures on an estimated budget of
round $7,000,000. Roach has two more
-"Turnabout" and "Captain Caution"
manufacture for UA during the current
ason. The 1940-41 slate will include
Roadshow." a comedy, and "Nomads of
le North." outdoor yarn which Hal Roach
. will supervise.
RKO Radio, adding further to its lineup
outside product, has closed a release
th Jerry Brandt and Charles Ford on
e three "Scattergood Baines" films they
will make for the 1940-41 slate. Initialer
in the series, which will star Guy Kibbee.
will go into work about June 1.
Second in a series of westerns to be produced
by Golden West Productions of
Phoenix, Ariz., is being slated for an early
start following conferences here between
Charles W. Goetz. president, and his associate,
Ted Richmond. No release has
been set. although indications are it may
go to Monogram, which distributed GW's
"The Gentleman From Arizona."
first.
Following receipt of word from New
York that the bankrupt Grand National
has reported $60,000 in assets, against
which are claims amounting to some $30.-
000. Loyd Wright, attorney for local creditors
of the old GN company, is pressing
his battle to obtain an assignment on the
GN studio here. Wright represents creditors
whose claims total nearly $200,000
against the old organization before it
merged with Educational.
Metro Paying $100,000 to
Boys Town on Sequel
In conjunction with its planned sequel
to "Boys Town," M-G-M is preparing to
turn over $100,000 to Monsignor E. J.
Flanagan, head of Boys Town institution
in Nebraska, to pay off the debt incurred
through construction of a new home. The
studio will utilize the same technicians and
artists who created the initialer. including
Producer John W. Considine jr.. with Director
Norman Taurog and Spencer Tracy
and Mickey Rooney in the toplines. James
Kevin McGuinness is developing the story.
Assigned Cagney Yarn
Lou Edelman has been assigned production
reins on Warner's "Story of John
Paul Jones," next starring vehicle for
James Cagney after the actor completes
"Torrid Zone."
SPEARHEADS
from page 21
counterfeiting combine to account for one
of the most meritorious Jack Holt vehicles
yet manufactured by Producer Larry Darmour
and one that should register solidly
with he-man audiences. Albert DeMond's
script, from a story by Eric Taylor, has a
convincing ring, having been based partially
on actual occurrences, and Lewis D. Collins'
direction is patterned nicely in the
action tempo. As usual, Darmour made
his budget stretch to the limit.
In the cellar: Metro's "The Man From
Dakota." While this melodrama of the
Civil War should be welcomed by confirmed
Wallace Beery fans and those not
too particular about such technicalities as
story con,sistency, acting and directorial
excellence, the vehicle is so weak in these
departments that for general audiences it
cannot rise above the average-program
class. Production by Edward Chodorov is
up to Leo's standard, but the script by
Laurence Stallings, based upon a book by
MacKinlay Kantor, is superficial in the
extreme; its greatest asset a sizable chunk
of suspenseful action. Leslie Fenton directed.
Wurlzel's Lineup of
"B's" Cut in Half
A number of changes have been made in
the executive and production departments
at 20th Century-Fox. aimed particularly
at that division within the Westwood
studio which turns out so-called program
product under Sol M. Wurtzel's guidance.
Wurtzel himself, wlio heretofore has actively
supervised 26 pictures annually, will
handle only 13 in the future, which films
will be given considerably larger budgets
than in the past. R. L. Hough has been
transferred from the front office to function
as his aide. Joining Darryl Zanuck's
staff as a production assistant is Fred
Kohlmar. until recently a Columbia associate
producer. He will also aid in handling
acting and writing talent. Other
changes have found Royer Hastings checking
out of the designing department and
Nick Kaltenstadler being placed in charge
of the landscaping unit.
Several promotions and changes were
announced by Cliff Work at Universal.
Milton Schwarzwald has been placed in
charge of the studio's exploitation and
musical films and Jack Gross has taken
over supervision of "idea pictures." Don
Brown. Work's executive secretary, will be
Gross' assistant and Greg Dowling. secretary
to David Garber. operations manager,
moves into Brown's spot. Elmer Grether
takes over Dowling's position on a moveover
from the property department. Marshall
Grant has been boosted from story
editor to associate producer: his assistant.
Leonard Cripps. becomes story chief.
To return to his private law practice.
Mendel Silberberg has resigned as assistant
to President Harry Cohn at Columbia
after an a.ssociation of three years. Also
checking off the lot was Joan Perry, featured
player, who had been under contract
for six years. Sam Bischoff. signed as a
producer recently, will report for duty in
two weeks. Currently he is recuperating
from an illness at Palm Springs.
Cliff Reid has been given "A" status as
an RKO Radio producer and has been assigned
a number of high-budget vehicles
for production in addition to his quota of
program pictures. Syd Fogel. assistant director,
has been named assistant to Darrell
Silvera. head of RKO Radio's property
department.
Hal Roach has named Hugh Huber executive
vice-president of the company,
filling the vacancy left by the resignation
of Frank Ross. Huber has been assistant
secretary and treasurer for seven years.
J. F. T. O'Connor has joined James
Roosevelt's Globe Productions staff as
legal advisor to the new United Artists
unit.
Pat O'Brien Will Portray
Knute Rockne lor WB
Title role in Warner's "The Life of
Knute Rockne" has been awarded to Pat
O'Brien. William K. Howard will direct
as his first contract assignment from a
script by Robert Buckner.
3X0FFICE :: Febmary 17. 1940 23

: February
Barnstomers
—Metro
Jeanette MacDonald opens concert tour
in Dallas, Texas, following a "preview" in
El Paso. Stopovers are planned in 35
cities and the tour will cover 10,000 miles.
— Paramount
Russell Hayden acts as grand marshal
in parade opening annual rodeo in Phoenix.
Arizona. He also made a personal
appearance in conjunction with a showing
of "Knights of the Flange," a Harry
Sherman western in which he is featured.
CleHers
— Academy
Frank Tours scoring "And So Goodbye."
— Columbia
Morris Stoloff scoring "Too Many
Husbands."
— Metro
Franz Waxman to do score for "Boom
Town."
— Paramount
Louis LiPSTONE completes scoring of
background music for "Those Were the
Days." Victor Young conducted recording
orchestra and Max Terr directed 26-voice
ensemble.
— Hal Roach
Werner Heymann scoring "1,000,000
B. C."
—20th Century-Fox
Mack Gordon writes "Secrets in the
Moonlight" for use as a song number in
"Star Dust."
— Warner
MoE Jerome and Jack Scholl compose
"Mi Caballero," to be sung by Ann Sheridan
in "Torrid Zone."
Meggers
—Goldberg-Port
Arthur David Hilton to "Darktown
Strutters Ball," all-colored musical.
— Paramount
Edward H. Griffith to produce and direct
"There's Always Juliet," the John Van
Druten stage success. Fred MacMurray
and Madeleine Carroll will co-star and
Virginia Van Upp has been set to script.
— Edward Small
Alfred Werker to "South of Pago Pago."
—20th Century-Fox
D. Ross Lederman directing second unit
of "Lillian Russell."
Archie Mayo borrowed from Samuel
Goldwyn for a one-picture commitment.
Irving Pichel to "The Great Commandment,"
re-make of the feature purchased
from Cathedral Pictures. Pichel also directed
the original version, which starred
John Beal.
— Universal
Ford Beebe and Ray Taylor set to codirect
"Winners of the West," forthcoming
serial, which Henry MacRae will produce.
Holiytvood
Personnelities
— Warner
Raoul Walsh to "The Patent Leather
Kid."
Options
—Metro
Bradbury Foote joins writing staff,
working imder Producer John Considine
jr.
May McAvoy, former silent screen star,
given term contract.
Marguerite Roberts, writer, held for
another year.
— Paramount
Eddie Bracken, Broadway comedian,
signs term contract.
Florence Enright given contract as
dramatic coach.
Ring Lardner jr. and Ian Hunter join
writing staff in Anthony Veiller's production
unit.
— Republic
Claire Carleton, English stage actress,
given term pact.
Maurice Geraghty joins staff as story
supervisor on westerns.
—20th Century-Fox
George Montgomery, actor, held for another
term.
John Payne given long-term acting
ticket. His first assignment will be "Maryland."
— Warner
John Garfield, currently on New York
stage, given new contract.
Scripters
— Franklin-Blank Productions
Ethel La Blanche to "The Drunkard."
Harold B. Franklin will produce.
—^Metro
Joe Fields teamed witli Jonathan
Latimer on "Nick Carter in Panama."
Albert Mannheimer to "Dulcy," the
comedy by Marc Connelly and George S.
Kaufman, in which Ann Sothern has been
assigned the title role. Edgar Selwyn will
produce.
Darwin Teilhet to "Hell on Wheels," a
trucking story, which Irving Asher will
produce.
— Paramount
Bellamy Partridge to "Country Lawyer,"
the biography which he wrote, and
which tells the story of his father, an upstate
New York attorney.
Jacques Thery to "Arise My Love,"
Claudette Colbert starrer.
— RKO Radio
Frank Fenton and Lynn Root to
"Millionaires
in Prison."
Dalton Trumbo to "Child of Divorce."
— Republic
Bradford Ropes to "Down by the Old
Mill Stream," forthcoming Gene Autry
starrer.
—Hal Roach
Rian James to "Turnabout," from the
Thorne Smith novel.
— Charles R. Rogers
Myles Connolly to "Senate Page Boys,"
an original by Albert Benham and Jeanne
Spencer.
—20th Century-Fox
Louis Bromfield completes "Salvation
Army."
Harold Buchman to "Marriage in Transit."
Kenneth Earl teamed with Ernest
Pascal on "Rip Van Winkle."
Curtis Kenyon developing an original
around the life of France's world war premier,
Georges Clemenceau, for production
by Kenneth Macgowan.
— Warner
Robert Blees to "The Constant Nymph."
which will co-star George Brent and Merle
Oberon.
Delmar Daves to an untitled story for
Producer Henry Blanke.
Guy Endore to "The Sea Wolf," which
will star Edward G. Robinson.
Abem Finkel and Delmar Daves to
"Stuff of Heroes."
Bertram Milhauser and Robert Kent
teamed on "River's End," a James Oliver
Curwood novel.
Richard Sherman to "One Sunday Afternoon,"
from the play by James Hagen.
Charles Tedford to "The_ Songs of
America," historical short subject.
Story Buys
— Loew-Lewin Productions
"Night Music," new play by Clifford
Odets
—Metro
"Combat Car," by Lawrence Kimble, to
serve as a Wallace Beery vehicle.
It deals
with cavalry mechanization. J. Walter
Ruben will produce.
— Monogram
"Lighthouse," by John Reinhardt, as a
vehicle for Boris Karloff.
— Harry Sherman
"Pirates on Horseback," by Ethel La-
Blanche, as a "Hopalong Cassidy" western.
— Warner
An untitled original dealing with the
life of Samuel Colt, inventor of the Colt
revolver, by Michael Simmons. The author
has been signed to script.
Technically
— Metro
Clyde Devinna, cameraman, assigned
five aides in photographing scenes in
Death Valley for "Twenty-Mule Team."
His assistants include Ellsworth Fredericks,
Hal Baldwins, Kymie Mead, Mat
Kluznick and Bert Eason.
Ray June to photograph "One Was
Beautiful."
George Seitz takes camera crew to New
York to pick up shots for use in "Andy
Hardy Meets a Debutante."
Leonard Smith photographing special
24 BOXOFFICE :
exteriors at Chico for "Waterloo Bridge."
Richard Thorpe takes production staff
17, 1940 ll

I
Paul
'
The
to Death Valley for three weeks of location
work on "Twenty-Mule Team."
Vogel photographing "The New
Pupil," an Our Gang two-reeler.
—Monogram
Edward Finney, Robert Tansey and Al
Herman scouting locations around Tucson
for "The Cowboy and the Kid," forthcoming
Tex Ritter western.
— Boris Morros
Boris Leven signed as art director for
"Lysistrata."
— Paramount
Doane Harrison to edit "The Night of
January 16th."
Charles Hisserich to mix sound on "A
Night at Earl Carroll's."
Eugene Merritt to mix sound on the
forthcoming "Henry Aldrich" comedy.
George A. Pringle signed as technical
idvisor on "North West Mounted Pohce."
Pringle was a sergeant in the law enforcement
body for 12 years.
Harold Schwartz set as business maniger
on forthcoming "Henry Aldrich"
"eatui'e.
Fred Utz joins designing staff. He is a
nechanical engineer.
—Edward Small
Erle C. Kenton, production assistant,
Old Curtis Mick, locations manager, pull
)Ut for Hawaii and American Samoa huntng
exteriors for "South of Pago Pago."
-20th Century-Fox
Wiard B. Ihnen, art director, given new
erm contract.
—Universal
Milton Krasner, cameraman, given
ontract.
—Warner
Ernest Haller to handle cameras on
All This and Heaven, Too."
James Wong Howe photographing "Torid
Zone."
Rest the Eyes With
'mw's Conspiracy Probe
n Temporary Set-Back
continued illness of his partner,
[arold J. Collins, has prevented Albert J.
aw, special department of justice deputy,
rom making any further headway perlining
to Uncle Sam's criminal conspiacy
suit against Fox West Coast and
ine major distributors. Collins has been
ut of action for two weeks battling an
'ttack of pneumonia at St. Luke's Hosital
in Pasadena, while Law himself only
jcently was discharged from the Good
amaritan after a siege of influenza.
Law and Collins have, for several weeks
last, been preparing a bill of particulars
;5 requested by the defendants in the con-
Jiracy action. The pending suit was
ricken from the district court calendar
)me time ago because of congestion and,
) date, a new time for the trial has not
Jen set.

. . Death
. . Dude
. . The
. . . Jack
. . Lou
PCCITO Hope of Conciliation
Setup on Coast Step Nearer
Los Angeles—One of the prime objectives
of the Pacific Coast Conference of
Independent Theatre Owners—establishment
of conciliation boards throughout
the entire coast territory—has moved a
step closer to realization as a result of the
recent meeting of the PCCITO's board of
trustees. Machinery has been set in motion
to organize such boards in three
coastal sections. The policy already is in
effect in the Southern California area,
where it was engineered by the ITO of
Southern California and Arizona.
The task is to be handled for Oregon
by Bob White and Wes Jolinson; for
northern California by Rotus Harvey and
Ben Levin, and in Washington, Idaho and
Alaska by L. O. Lukan and William Ripley.
Trustees also will present a report to
their respective memberships on other developments
at the conference here, including
approval of guaranteed film runs imder
certain conditions, as well as opposition
to producer-distributor action forcing
the purchase of advertising matter from
a single source.
The latter resolution read as follows:
FDDIE CALLAHAN, in booking for his
Strand at Seaside, revealed everything
"Be it resolved that the PCCITO places
itself on record as opposing any action by
the producers or distributors of motion
picture films that will act in restraint of
a free and unrestricted purchase by exhibitors
of any and all advertising matter
from any source; or the use of such copyrights
as are held by the producers or distributors
in any way so as to restrict the
rights of the exhibitor to enjoy fully the
benefits to be derived thereunder."
Principle of administration adopted in
approving guaranteed runs comprised two
qualifications: That the exhibitor does not
permit his theatre to become obsolete, and
that if the said run is not obtained
through fraud or misrepresentation.
Bob Poole, executive director of the ITO
of Southern California and Arizona, was
placed in charge of arrangements for the
PCCITO's first annual convention May
8-9-10. Hugh Bruen, Jack Berman, Rotus
POKTILAMID)
is set for construction to start March 1
on the new 650-seat Class A house he
is planning to build. The site is the corner
of Broadway and Columbia in Seaside
. . . T. J. Cleary, 20th Century-Pox home
office auditor, moved on to Salt Lake City
after finishing his stint here . . . "Gone
With the Wind," its run extended a second
time, moved into its fourth week
Thursday at the Broadway. A transfer
to the Mayfair may follow.
Harvey and Ben Levin have been appointed
to the program committee. Affair
wiU be staged at the Ambassador Hotel
here.
Johnny Harvey, assistant manager and
booker at Universal, has the fond mamas
in his hair, since his picture appeared in
the local papers giving Phil Carlin jr..
prodigy organist, a sendoff for a Hollywood
tryout. If he were interested, which
he is not, he could open a juvenile casting
office with the precocious offspring whose
parents have called up to give him a sales
talk . . . Frank B. Chenowith, who recently
took over active management of the
Peoples at Oak Ridge, called on the exchanges
last week . has claimed
the mother of Mrs. Eddie Hudson.
.
The pears enjoyed by the staff of 20th-
Pox were the contribution of H. L. Percy,
White Salmon exhibitor Smith,
Tillamook exhibitor, is busy refurbishing
his busy Coast hostelry .
new Liberty
in Salem opened last week. It's operated
by Bruce Keller and Ed Randall.
The Portland Paramount staff is toeing
the mark for a flying start on the new
western division sales contest scheduled
for April and May. Charles M. Reagan,
western division sales manager, on his
annual trip to the coast, and District Manager
George A. Smith revealed the plans
•
at a meeting last iveek of the Portland
and Seattle sales personnel. Attending
from Seattle were Branch Manager Morrie
Segel. Dwight Spracher, Glenn Haviland
and Bob Estill . . . George de Waide,
Paramount salesman, received little sympathy
for a stiff neck from J. L. Barber
of the Laurelhurst. Barber had just been
down a couple days with lumbago.
The Roxy appears to be the victim of
a vendetta or a campaign of petty thievery.
Theft of advertising posters was
followed by a raid on the nickels in a
vending machine . Amacher of
M-G-M, local chairman of the Will Rogers
memorial drive, called Portland branch
managers into a huddle to map a program
Plannery, National Screen Service
branch manager, was a visitor from
Seattle.
Operatives' reports from eastern Oregon
indicate that plans are complete and
the contract let for the Buckmillers' third
house, the Eltrym. soon to be erected in
Baker. The name was chosen in honor
of the late Mrs. Myrtle Buckmiller . . .
George Mitchely is handling the Louis-
Godoy fight pictures, to be shown at the
Mayfair . . . Here last week, booking, were
Fred Clift. John Day; Avery Combs,
Camas. Wash.; Dick Fisk, Bandon; the
Whiteside brothers, Corvallis; Tracy Poorman,
Woodburn; Al Adolph. Salem; Oscar
Phelps. Hillsboro; Austin Dodge, Myrtle
Point; George Roy, Eugene, and Mr. and
Mrs. Moore, Hermiston.
Portland's many Alec Templeton fans
got a break when the blind English
pianist was substituted for Walter Geiseking
in a scheduled concert series date . . .
Tom Dewey of New York stood 'em in the
aisles for his nationally broadcasted Lincoln
Day address in the Civic Auditorium.
(Harry Murray, veteran retired trouper
and vaudevillian, professional model and
department store Santa Claus, was an
interested radio listener and confided that
"that kid who is running for president"
did a nice job with his lines).
Ewing and Seale Assigned
To Fox-Evergreen Posts
Seattle—Joe Rosenfield, general manager
in Spokane for the Pox-Evergreen
theatres, announces that James "Jimmy"
Ewing has been placed in charge of the
Orpheum there. Buck Seale has been
moved from the Orpheum to the Liberty,
replacing Ernie Rose who resigned.
Ewing was formerly salesman for Universal
and until recently owned his own
theatres in Bonners Ferry and Newport.
Visits "Our Town" Set—
W. G. Van Schmus (fifth from left), managing director of New York's Radio
City Music Hall, pays a visit to the set of "Our Town," which Sol Lesser is
producing as his first United Artists release. Here's the lineup, left to
right- Director Sam Wood, Lesser. Thomas Mitchell, Beulah Bondi, Van
Schmus, Stuart Erwin. Martha Scott, William Holden, Guy Kibbee and Fay
Bainter.
Hanson Drafting Plans
For New Lynwood Unit
Lynwood. Cal.—Plans are being drawn
up by Al Hanson for construction of a
new 1,000-seat theatre, to be operated in
conjunction with his Vogue and Lynwood.
Hanson also is an operating partner in
the Tower, Compton, and owns the Wilshire
in Santa Monica.
BOXOFFICE : : February 17, 1940

I
i Joe
: February
. . Ben
. . Sylvia
. . With
. . . Birthdays
. . Lew
. . Prankie
S IE A T T IL
AT LAST the much needed rain arrived.
IE
For the past month the weather has
been balmy, which did not do the flu epidemic
much good. A number of schools
throughout the state were closed and people
warned not to congregate. Although
this did not affect the shows a great deal.
It might have been worse . the
Orpheum Theatre running smoothly with
its quiz broadcast and prizes every Monday
evening, the Venetian has started
•Spell-O-Win" featuring Professor Whiz
. . Bill Parker, publicity ace for Metro
in this territory, has been assigned to
handle the world premiere of "Northwest
Passage." Bill is now in Boise, Ida., making
arrangements for the personal appearance
of Spencer Tracy and other stars, and
getting the governor and the mayor set
tor their little say-so. The picture was
filmed at Payette Lake and the residents
nice regardless of merit." Von startled
he trade last month with a "bargain sale'
>n two features
. . . Betty Saffle and D071
'London are tellirig their friends along
^ilmrow of their engagement. Betty is the
laughter of Maurice Saffle, local branch
nanager of Metro, ivhile Don is the son
f Dean Herbert Condon of the Univerity
of Washington. Don is in the booking
iepartnient of the Sterling Theatres. The
•ouple plan to be united in about six
nonths.
ice piece of art.
R. T. Cadman, formerly on the local
niversal sales staff and working the Spo-
2716 territory, tvrites that he is now with
niversal loorking out of Omaha . . . Paul
nd Margaret Bangasser are now honey-
:ooning in Sun Valley. She is the daugh-
•r of J. T. Sheffield . O'Neal
Id Al Bloom drove to Portland to meet
rnmy O'Neal, who is returning home from
two-month stay i7i San Francisco. Jimmy
td Sylvia drove back, leaving Al in Port-
On Goodwill Tout—
hi Seattle James Roosevelt, visiting with northwest shovymen. chats with
John Dans and Frank Newman, veterans of more than 25 years in the
theatre field. Roosevelt is seizing every possible opportunity to fly to various
sections of the country, personally contacting theatremen and exchangemen
in behalf of a better understanding of common problems between producer
and distributor. Roosevelt is the youngest producer on United Artists' imposing
roster of film impresarios.
r>{ Idaho consider it "their film.
land to vnnd up some business . . . Mr.
Anne Seljridge was the first prise winler
and Mrs. John Dam, and Mr. and Mrs.
in the Seattle Star-Liberty "Be a Girl Joe Danz have gone to Portland to at-
Reporter" contest. The contest was tied tend the party given to announce the engagement
ip inth -His Girl Friday." The winner
eceived one iveck's icork on the Star as a
of their niece. Ardienne Fisher.
eporter for a salary of $50. The first asngjiment
Betty Sundstrum, secretary in the of-
Anne got ivas to J.
interview fice of General Film, was smacked by an
'07! Herberg. owner of the Liberty, who auto on her way home, but escaped serious
dated -there is one thing he cannot unierstand
injury. In her excitement she forgot
in his business. That is why to get names of witnesses, but with the
aid of a newspaper advertisement she now
•novies must 'go on sale' at the same
has them . Maren is here from
Hollywood doing special exploitation for
RKO Radio. Eddie Lamb is the local
branch manager . . . Tiny Burnett, former
orchestra leader with the Orpheum, has
gone to Bremerton to open up a Smoke
Shop and sporting goods store
Hoidale and Tom Dempsey
. . .
off for
Don
the
east. They will drive back in a new car
came thick around the
Sterling theatres. Murray Peck, manager
of the Rivoli, and Morris Bronston of
the Florence celebrated the same day,
while Jeri-y Ross of the Palomar was a
day ahead. The staff at the RivoH pre-
in Angeles
. . .
Danz is a little puzzled and he has
:. dress on his hands. The dress belongng
to a patron got lost in the theatre (it sented Peck with a cake, handing it up to
vas wrapped up and brand new, smart him over the footlights whUe he was doing
his m. c. chore for the vaudevUle.
leek) . Joe hunted high and low and could
lot find the package. The lady left, weepng
over her loss. A couple of days later, Junior and Dorothy Mercy have returned
rom out of nowhere, the package pops from their trip to New York. They made
p and Joe discovers that the gal forgot
leave her name and address . . . Charles
the round trip by plane. Senior Mercy also
back from the same trip, but stopping over
Los Comfort of the Seattle Star, writing unler
for a few days . . . Eva
Lukan off to San Francisco vnth her hubby.
the name of Leighton Early, is to be
omplimented on his editorial, "Don't Sell L. O. Lukan. ivho will attend the meeting
hort the Short Subjects." Made the showoing
of the Independent Theatre Owners, Pa-
public stop and think, that the one cific Coast Conference. In Portland they
eelers jammed in between two features ivere joined by their son-in-law and
ad to be produced, and are darn good daughter. Bill and Mrs. Cunningham.
ntertainment
. Roscoe being given From Portland the Lukans ivere accompanied
special write-up and being classed as a
south by Mrs. Robert Fundenberg.
aper press agent. He must be, for the mother of Evelyn Oxtoby, and Margo and
,rticle was two-column, 14 inches with a
Continuing
Jariet Lee Cunningham
3X0FFICE :
last week's episode about Al Baker, it was
a daughter, so congratulations are in order.
Dennis von Herberg was in bed with a
severe cold the past week at home on
Bainbridge Island . Peacock up
and about after her spell with the flu . . .
Ben Fish, western division manager for
United Artists, and Pete Higgins to Portland
and back. Ben intends to remain in
this territory for some time Harriet
Lamb is recovering very
. .
nicely
.
following
another operation.
Transier Jerry Meyers to
Seattle Winter Garden
Seattle—Jerry Meyers, for the past few
years manager of the suburban theatres,
the Granada and Portola, has been transferred
to the Winter Garden in Seattle
downtown. FYank Jenkins has moved
from the Colonial to Meyers' spot with
Harry Lester taking over the Colonial.
All houses are in the Sterling Theatres
group owned by Jolan Danz. Switches were
made by William Forman, general manager.
Metro to Make Cartoon
Oi "Romeo and Juliet"
Hollywood—Even screen cartoons are
falling in line with the Shakespearean
trend.
For, not to be outdone by stage productions
of the Bard's famed works, M-G-M's
cartoon department will soon offer the
first "cartoonization" of the world's most
famous love story, "Romeo and Juliet."
Rudolf Ising will produce.
New Lament House
Lamont. Cal. — Bivins-Darling Amusement
Co. is building a new theatre here,
aimed for July 1 opening. It will be a
500-seater.
Co-Direct Universal Serial
Hollywood—Ford Beebe and Ray Taylor
will co-direct "Winners of the West,"
forthcoming Universal serial, which Henry
MacRae will produce.
'Will Be Seeing You
POPCORN SMITH
BOX 284 — SEATTLE
17, 1940 27
i
i
i

. .
. .
. . . The
. . . Ralph
. . "Of
. . The
. .
^
j
J
;'
'ill
,,
S' IFIKAMCM^CO
f^HINATOWN'S celebrations of their New
Year combined -with the worst Ash
Wednesday business in over a decade made
Bill Coovert celebrated his first anniversary
as manager of the El Camino in
San Bruno with the biggest birthday party
the peninsula has seen. Every patron to
enter his house on the night of the anniversary
was given a piece of the huge
cake set in the lobby. One thousand pieces
were eked out of the mammoth bit of
pastry and it was a gala evening indeed.
Also, we have it direct from the stork
that the Cooverts will be passing out cigars
in April. Congratulations, Bill.
A new record in local newsreel reporting
occurred when Telenews Tlieatre filmed
the controversy over the local traffic problem
and had the short on the screen
within 24 hours after the bombshell hit the
papers. Fifty thousand San Pi-ancisco motorists
face actual arrest as a result of
Judge Ames' decision to issue warrants to
traffic offenders who have failed to appear
after receiving tickets. The Telenews
short had Ames present his side along
with Judge Kaufman, who opposes the
movement as useless. Chief of Police Quinn
and the Examiners' traffic expert, Dick
Pearce.
to Warner, where he will be the city
salesman. Bud Macdonald moves up from
. . . Warner's
city to out-of-tovon salesman
annual dinner-dance will be held at
the Bal Tabarin on the llth . . . Wm. V.
Oliver, president of the French Saxon
China Co., has been in town visiting
Pacific Premium, the west coast (and
the largest) distributor of his blue plates.
The seven downtown first-run houses
signed an agreement with the APL this
week giving doormen and cashiers a five
cent per hour boost in salary. The old
agreement was terminated last November
and conferences have been held frequently
since then. The new pact runs for two
years . . . Jack Erickson and Floyd Bernard,
20th-Fox salesmen, have left
town for a three-week swing . . Ballyhoo
.
has been started for "Grapes of Wrath,"
which goes into the Fox on the 29th .
Ed Golden, Monogram sales manager on
a tour of the nation, drops into our town
on the 29th for a three-day stay .
Paramount has been entertaining Charles
Reagan, western district manager, and
George Smith, divisional sales manager
Egyptian is enjoying good crowds
with its exclusive showing of "The Living
Dead," the pre-Hitler German picture handled
by Coast Pictures.
for women only. Gordon, mental vnzard,
answers all questions from the audience
. . . "Port of Shadows" ended a three-
as . . .
the past week a sorry one with regard to Da7i McLean, always drumming up new
the cinema boxoffice. The Chinese started ideas to sell seats at his Embassy, has
drawing crowds around Wednesday and had "Gordon the Great" on the stage
swung into high on the weekend with three for a two-a-day, with a special matinee
full days of program designated as the
second annual Rice Bowl Party. Thousands
deserted the theatres to wander about
Chinatown, touring the streets, shops, week run at the Clay and moved out in
temples, tongs, and bazaars. Over $50,000 favor of "Harvest" . Diamond
was gathered in to aid the Chinese civilian and Rivoli. East Bay houses of the Golden
State chain, began Book Nights this week
refugees.
an experiment Two Hollywood
favorites, Ray Noble and Garwood Van,
brought their orchestras to town for hotel
engagements. Noble occupies the bandstand
at the Palace and Van is ensconced
at the St. Francis . Mice and Men"
concluded a three-week stay at the United
Artists and "The Lion Has Wiiigs" moved
in . . . Ed Beck, M-G-M exploiteer, has
been absent from his desk for the past
three weeks. He is really gone with the
ivind.
.
Rene Poirier is building a house in
Brisbane and will open in about 60 days
Abbott of the Jamison-Handy
Corp., has been in town spotting his Jam-
Handy shorts to local exhibitors
Visitors on the Row have been scare this
week, but we did manage to see Mr. and
Mrs. George Page, Ritz. Calistoga; Charlie
Muehlman, Roxie, Sacramento, and Robert
Cuzan, Crystal, Salinas.
FWC Chain to Single Bill
"Grapes" and "Passage"
Los Angeles—Both "The Grapes of
Ramblings on the Row: Ty Winkle has Wrath" and "Northwest Passage" are to
taken over the Piedmont in Piedmont from be single-billed throughout the entire Fox
Charlie Michaels, who will devote all of West Coast circuit, executives have decided.
his time to the Powell Leo Abrams,
Both films will be allotted heavier
. . .
Universal short subject salesman, is in town advertising budgets for newspaper, radio
in Benecia
The Majestic and billboard exploitation.
. for a visit . .
reopens March 1. The house was damaged
"Noi-thwest Passage" will be the ninth
by fire late in December. James picture in three years to be single-billed in
Lemos still occupies the manager's office its day-date run at FWC's State and Chi-
. . . Al Oxtoby has svntched from Universal
nese theatres, beginning February 21.
"The Grapes of Wrath" moves into the two
houses the following week.
Rates for Students
Los Angeles—To stimulate student interest,
Bruce Fowler, manager of the Four
Star, set aside three days of the roadshow
run of "Abe Lincoln in Illinois" as "Abe
Lincoln Days." One day students of Los
Angeles High School viewed the film at
special rates, with similar showings on
following days for John Burroughs and
Fairfax High School students.
Buy Cliff Odets Play
Hollywood — Loew-Lewin Productions,
recently formed independent company, has
purchased "Night Music," new play by
Cliff Odets.
Gurney Opens Own Agency
Hollywood—Noel Gurney, with the Myron
Selznick Agency for 12 years, has
resigned to open his own agency.
SAIILT ILAKIIE
CAM GARDNER, M-G-M branch manager,
is planning another trip into Montana
after recently having completed a
very successful sales tour in that region.
Bill Seib and his sales staff booker returned
from the San Francisco regional
convention recently, all enthused for the
new season and its activities.
The management of the Utah has received
a beautiful "Seeburg Symphanola"
music machine for display in the lobby
through the courtesy of distributors. Also
a modernistic metal desk has been put in
the lobby to publicize "Joe and Ethel Turp
Call on the President."
Miss Naomi Fowler, charming 11-yearold
senior of the Salt Lake City West High
School, ivas voted as the Salt Lake Exchange
Club's choice to represent Utah at
the HollyuMod premiere showing of "Seventeen,"
based on the Booth Tarkington
novel. She will be chaperoned by Miss
Becky Almond, the only woman member
of the local Exchange Club.
Wayne Morris and Jeffrey Lyrm, War-
,
ner stars, passed through Salt Lake City, 'I
.
making brief stopovers en route to New
;
York City.
H. C. Fuller, RKO branch manager, is
on an extended trip into Montana after
having returned from Idaho. He is traveling
with Art Baron, salesman . . . Giff
Davison is working in Idaho and Al Mabey
has returned from southern Utah and will
leave for Nevada immediately.
O IE M V IE K
HL HOFFMAN, United Artists salesman,
is one of the four such in the United
States that has sold his prospects 100
per cent, and is now spending his time
helping out the other salesmen in the '
Denver territory.
;
.
"Gone With the Wind" closed a strong
third week at the Orpheum. but had
dipped some under the first two, which
were about equal. The film stays a fourth
stanza. a7id according to all claims, has
broken all existing records here both as to
money and as to number of people seeing
a film at one house. "Of Mice and Men"
\
finished a strong first tveek as roadshow
\
at the Broadway and is staying for a see- j
ond. All first runs were above average.
^
The local Monogram exchange is on top '
in the March for Playdates drive being i
conducted over the nation. Lon T. Hdler
|
is hoping he can keep up the fine re- f
suits until the close, and thus cop his !
share of the money. C. F. Rose, salesman,
left on a sales trip through Montana.
Another Major Bowes unit is playing the
Denver this week, and is doing its share
toumrd boosting the gross.
Prints of the Louis-Godoy fight are
boosting the take at the Victory and other
spots through the territory.
28
BOXOFFICE : : February 17, 1940

. . Out-of-town
. . H.
Scoff at One-Sided
IlLOg
AWC.1IE1IL1IE1§
Sales Impost Cost
Santa Fe, N. M.—Exhibitors here scoff
it the idea that a state sales tax on film
•entals can apply solely to distributors,
rhey view the statement to that effect
)y G. S. Carter, state sales tax direcor.
as a "smoke screen" to confuse the
ssue. Just returned from conferences in
loUywood, Carter indicated that New
lexico's reach for new revenue probably
,-ould include a film footage impost.
"Inevitably, any tax applied to distribitors
will be passed on to exhibitors," a
3cal theatre man declared. "And we
ould find it difficult to pass this, in turn,
3 the public." He challenged Carter's
tatement that a two per cent sales tax on
entals would yield "important money,"
antending that the small number of thetres
in the state and the total annual
Um rentals would not produce any more
lan enough to defray the expense of colaction
and extra clerical work.
^erry Sells Granada to
llhambra Amusement
Alhambra. Cal.—C. A. Perry has sold
is Granada to the Alhambra Amusement
0., subsidiary of Principal Pictures, which
1 turn is affiliated with Fox West Coast,
he Granada is a 544-seat house.
Bromfield Story to Metro
Hollywood—M-G-M has acquired moan
picture rights to Louis Bromfield's
I Night in Bombay," published serially
Cosmopolitan under the title
.ights."
CLASHES
REVIEW
KN FROM DAKOTA, THE (M-G-M)—Civil
vai melodrama which should prove wel-
:ome entertainment for Wallace Beery fans
md those who are satisfied with suspenseul
actions without being too analytical of
tory consistencies, acting and direction.
Idward Chodorov produced; Leslie Fenton
irected.
S/ENTEEN (Para)—From seven to 70, all
ges and all audiences probably will aclaim
this one of the warmest, most
oignantly human comedies of the season,
ooth Tarkington's famous story of adolesence
has been skilfully modernized, relining
withal the irresistible appeal that
as made it virtually a modem classic,
ickie Cooper wins new laurels in the title
>le. Stuart Walker produced: Louis King
lirected.
COMPLETE REVIEWS on the above
pictures icill appear in an early issue
of BOXOFFICE.
JJARRY ARTHUR has returned to his
St. Louis headquarters after conferring
here with his brother. Milt, head of Cabart
Theatres , . . Mrs. Jenne Dodge came in
from Ventura to arrange details of her
plan to build a new theatre there. She
already operates the Mission in that city.
John Ash. Metro's traveling auditor,
checked in on one of his periodic visits
to the local exchange . . . Also using the
Metro office as a parking station is Rose
Klein, of the company's homeoffice, here
on her first trip to California.
Monday Sonday, operator of the Kiva,
finally snagged himself a lucky day—his
horse. Brother Nibs, galloped in to win a
race at Santa Anita the other day. It was
the nag's first win.
Ed Blumenthal, Monogram franchise
holder in Dallas, has returned to his
headquarters after spending some time
here and in San Francisco talking things
over with the Monogram personnel . . .
Max Carlin and Irving Sinker will open a
bowling alley next week, located close to
their Alvarado Theatre.
Charles Reagan, Paramount's western
division sales head, has checked in to
begin a tour of the company's western exchanges
. . . Art Bailey, Warner booker,
has been pruned from the staff after 13
years of service with the local branch.
Tommy Charack, formerly a Warner exchangeman
in Minneapolis, succeeds him.
Ariz., in on business . . . Harry Dodge of
Altec Service, is now a grandfather. His
first grandchild was bom on Lincoln's
birthday.
C. A. Ferri has sold his Granada in
Alhambra to the Jimmy Edwards circuit
. . . Al Painter, former mariager of the
Hollywood Roller-Bowl, visiting Filmrow
acquaintances . . . Suit for divorce has
been filed by Bill Kohler, of Astor Pictures,
against Betty Kohler . . . H. M.
Bessey, Altec's secretary -treasurer, is expected
in from Seattle around February
25. He'll spend a week here, then head
for New York, with stopovers at the St.
Louis and Chicago brariches.
Marco Wolfe has trained out for St.
Louis headquarters after parleying for a
week here with Milt Arthur, head of Cabart
Theatres . visitors include
Carl Buermele, Detroit showman,
and Morgan Walsh, San Francisco exhibitor.
Frances Ramirez, secretary at Azteca
Pictures, is bedded with the flu and has
deserted her post for a feio days . . . Majestic
Pictures has booked "The Eagle,"
Rudolph Valentino's last starring picture,
into the Cinema . . . Mike Neimnan, Columbia
exploiteer, is doing some ballyhooing
dovm San Diego way.
Bill Smith has booked "Stella del Mare,"
Italian musical which his Jewel Productions
is distributing, into the Grand for a
minimum run of one week, opening March
29. Smith pulls out March 1 for Chicago
and New York to handle openings of the
picture in those cities. Booking deals have
already been set . . . Fine Arts has opened
temporary exchange headquarters at 1908
S. Vermont with W. C. Riter in charge.
Riter has been a familiar figure along the
Row for 18 years.
Harry Stern, coast sales manager for
Film Alliance Distributors, has closed a
deal wherein the Drive-In Theatre chain,
headed by Seth Perkins and Chet Black,
will book his product in their houses.
Stern also reports that "Topedoed," a
Film Alliance release, is being held over
eral weeks . . .
Fox West Coast's San Diego and Long
in
Sam Nathanson of
Beach theatres . . .
Coast Pictures has planed to New York.
He loill be in the east on business for sev-
Salesmen, bookers and
secretaries at M-G-M have precipitated a
boom market in liniments. They held an
ice-skating party at Pan-Pacific AucCltorium,
February 16.
Harold Robb and Ed Rowley, heads of
the Robb-Rowley circuit of Dallas, have Clayton Lynch of M-G-M has been appointed
zone chairman for the annual
pulled in for a look at current and forthcoming
product. Planning to stay about
Will Rogers Memorial Fund drive, to be
ten days, they are headquartering at the
staged during the week of April 19. Lynch
Ambassador Hotel . . . Spyros Skouras,
held a preliminary "pep" meeting attended
president of National Theatres, is spending
by Jack Dillon of 20th Century-Fox; W.
several days at Arrowhead Springs in
E. Calloway, Warner; Carroll Peacock,
company with his brother Charles, head
Fox West
Paramount; Eddie Cooke, Universal; E. A.
of NT's ivestern subsidiary.
MacLean, United Artists; Red Jacobs,
Coast. The NT chieftain returns to New RKO Radio; Wayne Ball. Columbia, and
York shortly.
Francis Bateman, Republic. National
W. J. Heineman, Universal's western Screen Service has volunteered to prepare
sales manager, has planed to San Francisco
an all-star short subject for free distribution
to exhibitors Fred Siegel, operator
. . .
after spending a few days at the
of the Palomar in Oceanside, is hav-
local office Frank Plumlee, booker
. . .
for the R. E. Griffith circuit of Safford, ing the house reseated by the National
Theatre Supply Co. Theatre is a 640-
seater.
Frank Shindler. RKO Radio office manager,
and his bride, the former Leslie
Mahana of Beverly Hills, are honeyinooning
in San Francisco following their marriage
here.
Sam Clark, Warner's new western district
exploiteer, has reported from his old
headquarters in Chicago. He takes over
the berth previously held by the late Ned
Holmes . W. Cook came in from
Death Valley for bookings. He operates
theatres in Beatty, Nevada; Death Valley
Junction and Furnace Creek.
After holding a series of meetings with
the local staff, Leo Abrams, short subjects
sales manager for Universal, has
trained out for Saji Francisco . . . Bookers
included Irving Carlin, Carlin-Sinker
circuit, and Harold Glass of the Gordon
Theatre.
BCOFHCE :; February 17, 1940 29

. . . how
The Most
=_—
Complete Trade Paper
Service in the Industry
I
Covering Every
Phase of
the
Motion Picture
B u s i n e s s—
Every Place in
the
Industry!
National in Scope, Yet
Intensive in ALL Territories—BOXOFFICE
is
the Most Welcomed,
the Most Thoroughly
Read Trade Paper in
Our Great Industry.
BOXOFFICE
The only trade paper in the industry providing national or local
coverage . . . either or both. Its circulation . . . attested by the Audit
Bureau of Circulations ... is read every week in every part of the
United States and Canada ... in every phase of the Motion Picture
Industry . . . production, distribution and exhibition.
THE MODERN THEATRE
Published every four weeks as an integral section of Boxoffice, it
reports and illustrates every phase of theatre construction, improvement
and mechanical operation and maintenance. The outstanding
advertising medium for equipment manufacturers.
BOXOFFICE PICTURE GUIDE
A pocket-size, loose-leaf book for filing reviews, with a section for
picture booking and recording operating costs. Exhibitors hail it as
the most valuable and practical irmovation in years.
BOXOFFICE BAROMETER
Published in February . . . the middle of the season . . . Boxoffice
BAROMETER reports on all that has happened during the first half
of the season and definitely, authoritatively, tells about what is
to come during the rest of the picture year. The only annual published
expressly for service to theatre owners and managers . . .
the only annual that
completely blankets the industry.
BEN SHLYEN
Publisher
MAURICE KANN
Editor-in-Chief
BOXOFFICE RECORDS
Published once a year, RECORDS reports the vtilue
at the boxoffice
demonstrated by every picture released during the previous season
the public received the efforts of producer, writer, star,
director and all others concerned in picture-making. An exact
measure of the past and potent guide for future plans.
ASSOCIATED
NEW YORK
9 Rockefeller Plaza
Louis Rydell, Adv. Mgr.
Five Great BOXOFFICE Services!
EACH CONTAINING A MULTIPUCITY OF PRACTICAL-VALUE FEATURES
PUBLICATIONS
CHICAGO
332 S. Michigan Ave.
J. Harry Toler, Mgr.
HOIXYWOOD
6404 Hollywood Blvd.
Ivan Spear, Mgr.
30 BOXOFFICE : : February 17, 194(

: February
16MM COMPETITION INTO DISTRIBUTOR LAPS;
INDIANA EXHIBITORS PRESENTING EVIDENCE
Showmen Appealing
^4ajo^s to Prevent
Further Inroads
to
Indianapolis—The fight to eliminate
6mm projection of major and independnt
product has been taken directly to the
listributors by the Associated Theatre
niievs of Indiana in a letter addressed to
he top industry executives.
"Conservatively" estimating that narrowauge
films were projected commercially
n 150 towns last summer by itinerant
howmen. the Association points out that
29 established film theatres were oper-
ting then in the state of Indiana. It
alculates the screenings drew from 500
1.500 people per show.
ATOI charges that the screenings are
direct competition to established theares
1
and that many films are being sup-
lied by major and independent distribu-
Drs and producers.
Tlie appeal was sent to the following;
Harry Cohn. Columbia: Nicholas M.
chenck, Lcew's. Inc.; Barney Balaban,
aramount; Leo Spitz
V), RKO Radio: Sidney R. Kent, 20th
entury-Fox; N. J. Blumberg, Universal:
[. M. Warner. Warner Bros.; Murray
ilverstone. United Artists, and W. Ray
ohnston. Monogram. Republic is said to
ave been omitted because company ofcials
recently advised ATOI the firm
as no longer making available features
)r 16mm reduction.
Tlie letter follows (Capitals and other
aiphasis are in text of the letter)
BUREAU PICTURE
Reproduction of an advertisement distributed
in the Indiana territory on
Wmn films.
Photostatic copy of a sales letter on
l&mm films as presented to major
distributors by ATO of Indiana.
"During the 1939 Summer season Indiana
theatre owners, with thousands of
dollars invested in their buildings and
equipment, as well as years of hard work
in building their business, were beset with
a most unfair type of competition, that
of the 16 MM circuit operator.
"This competition was best described in
an article appearing in the FILM DAILY
of Wednesday, May 24th, 1939, a reprint of
which is enclosed herewith. The fact that
one, LeRoy Dennis of Wabash, Indiana,
is mentioned in this article as operating
eighteen circuits, each circuit serving six
towns each, with a weekly show, is no reflection
on Mr. Dennis personally, as there
were dozens of other operators in Indiana.
"There were some 429 legitimate theatres
in operation in the State of Indiana
last summer and it is conservatively estimated
that 16 MM movies screened by
itinerant showmen were shown weekly
in approximately 150 towns. The attendance
at these showings ran from 500 to
1,500 people. Some of the showings took
place in towns where there were already
legitimate theatres established and others
where there were not.
"These screenings were in direct competition
to legitimate theatres as 90 7c of
them were held within 8 to 12 miles of
an established theatre. This year the
itinerant showmen are ready to break into
big business from all indications. Several
weeks ago merchants throughout the State
of Indiana received a letter and handbill
on R.K.O.'s 'RIDING ON AIR' and Columbia's
'THE CALLING OF DAN MAT-
THEWS,' photostatic copies of which are
enclosed.
"You will note upon reading the Dennis
Produce Ads Promising
Major Company Fare
On Narrow Gauge
Film Bureau letter that they are operating
much in the same manner as your
local exchanges. We refer you to Sections
1 and 2 of Mr. Dennis' letter. Also of considerable
interest to you. as a Producer,
should be Paragraph 3 in which Mr. Dennis
offers to supply a full length feature
and short subjects for a ninety minute
show for the small sum of $7.50 or approximately
what the average established
theatre would pay for a one reel short
subject.
"Also, please note in Mr. Dennis' letter
that he suggests to the merchants if they
have no projector, he can supply them
one.
"The fact that the handbills which were
sent out only referred to Columbia and
R.K.O. pictures is of no special significance,
as Mr. Dennis is thoroly capable
of supplying feature releases on 16 MM
film of the product of a number of other
major companies also.
"The problem of 16 MM competition
has been discussed many times by the
Indiana exhibitors and we fully appreciate
that its menace is enlarging year by year.
It is our sincere hope that you. as a Producer,
will not continue to ignore the
evidence set forth and allow this situation
to get beyond control.
"We would appreciate hearing from you
on the matter,"
f< DENNIS FILM BUREAU PICTURE
GUY ^V OM A^^
KIBBIE
FLODENCE
Another sample of the kind of advertising
circulated for 16mm films in the
Indiana territory and forwarded by
Associated Theatre Owners of Indiana
to major distributors.
3X0FFICE :
17, 1940

i
'
Neely Bill Aired in Milwaukee
Via Columns of the "Journal''
Milwaukee—Responding to a letter in the Milwaukee Journal from Mrs. V. W.
Hume, better fUms chairman of the Luther Burbank PTA, in support of the Neely
bill, Benjamin J. Miller, film attorney, declared that "theoretically" the measure
may be a good one, but "practically" it is unworkable.
In defending her stand, Mrs. Hume asserted that "block booking is enforced
against the 15,000 independently operated theatres in the United States and not
against the 2.500 producer-operated theatres."
BoxoFFicE, below and side by side, reprints in full the opinions of both Mrs.
Hume and Mr. Miller on the Neely bill as they appeared in the Journal.
Says Mrs. Hume:
"I was interested in the Journal's account
(January 24) of a debate at the
Atwater school PTA meeting between Mr.
Peck, principal of the Siefert school, and
Mr. Miller, Milwaukee attorney for movie
interests. I believe that Mr. Miller is mistaken
when he says that the movies give
the people what they want. Because of the
practice known as block booking, we have
very little choice in the kind of pictures
which are shown. What is block booking?
Suppose Mr. Theatre Owner wants to show
a certain picture. In order to get this picture
he has to agree to take a number of
other pictures. Some of these pictures may
be undesirable. But Mr. Theatre Owner is
obliged to take the other pictures in this
'book.'
"Let me add that block booking is enforced
against the 15,000 independently
operated theatres in the United States and
not against the 2,500 producer operated
theatres. This is in itself an unfair trade
practice and is one of the complaints held
against the eight leading film corporations
in the anti-trust charges brought by the
United States department of justice in
July, 1938. This case is of such magnitude
pictures.
"Mr. Miller also inferred that the public
preferred the sexy, trashy movie to the
really fine pictures. Dr. Fred Eastman, associate
editor of the Christian Century.
says: 'The fact that every one of the ten
best paying pictures last year was on the
approved list of practically every group
which appraises pictures is convincing evidence
that the public supports voluntarily
32
Says Mr. Miller:
"I have read the letter of Mrs. V. W.
Hume in Sunday's Journal in which she
takes me to task for what I said in a discussion
with the principal of Siefert school
at Atwater school on motion pictures. The
discussion lasted two hours. Mrs. Hume
obtained her information from an article
which took less than two minutes to read.
Yet Mrs. Hume assumes sufficient knowledge
of the entire proceedings to vent her
feelings.
"Principal Peck delivered an intelligent
and studied discourse. 'What I said was
simply this: Although Mr. Peck might be
correct theoretically, from a practical
standpoint the problem was entirely different
and the motion picture business had
to be operated in a practical way.
"Theoretically it would be a great thing
if all taxes in Milwaukee were reduced 50
per cent. However, if it meant that our
police and fire departments would be curtailed,
our educational system seriously
impaired, our courts rendered ineffective,
our parks and streets neglected, then the
reduction of taxes would become a detriment
and prove impractical.
"Theoretically no one can deny that the
that it will be some time before it reaches Neely Bill has merit. But if the practical
motion court.
"Various welfare, religious and educational
result would be that pictures became
inferior, that the exhibitor could not
organizations have been trying for be supplied with sufficient product to keep
years to do away with block booking. The his theatre open regularly, that the cost of
Neely Bill (S-280) to prohibit 'compulsory film rentals would be materially increased,
block booking and blind selling' of motion that theatre admissions would jump so
picture films passed the United States senate
that only a few people could afford to attend
the movies, that hundreds of thousands
in July, 1939. It has yet to pass the
house. This is the third bill which has
of working people and businessmen
been reported favorably by the committee depending upon the motion picture business,
on interstate commerce. In June, 1938,
directly and indirectly, would be ma-
Senator Neely claimed that this bill had terially harmed, then the Neely Bill would
'bogged down' in the committee because of
a lobby opposing the bill. However, it has
continued to survive through the efforts of
organizations such as the National Congress
the better pictures.'
Mr. Miller.
"I realize that the
I think that answers
Journal gets a lot of
of Parents and Teachers and a great
many others.
advertising from the motion picture industry
and would be loath to bite the hand
"The primary purpose of this bill is to that feeds it, but I would like to see a
establish community freedom in the selection
of motion picture films. Wlien that is
newspaper that has the courage to tell the
public the truth about the motion picture
passed it will be the problem of the local
residents to enforce demands for better
industry and its various trade practices. I
would like to see the Milwaukee Journal
print movie reviews that aren't mostly advertisements.
I must say your reviews are
much better than any others in newspapers
I've seen. But there is still a tendency
to please the movie advertisers. I'd like
to see you give a good movie rating occasionally,
too. (In regard to suitability for
children and adolescents.) I don't see why
you don't print more about the Neely Bill,
too."
"Primary Purpose"
Oi Neely Bill
Milwaukee—"The primary purpose
of this (Neely) bill is to establish community
freedom in the selection of molion
picture films. When that is passed,
it will be the problem of the local residents
to enforce demands for better
pictures."
This is the kernel of the anti-block
booking bill as seen through the eyes
of Mrs. V. W. Hume, better films chairman
of the Luther Burbank PTA, who
gave public expression to her view
through the columns of the Milwaukee
"JoumaL" Benjamin I. Miller, local
film attorney, also in a letter to the
"Journal," declared that while the bill
"theoretically" may be sound, it is
"practically" unworkable.
,
prove to be a detriment and would be im- f
practical.
"Of course, I know that Mrs. Hume and
the welfare, religious and educational institutions
she refers to never give any
thought to this. Believe it or not, there are
two sides to the question. It has been my
unfortunate experience that people outside
of the film business know little about the
Neely Bill, yet they appear anxious to
argue the merits of it.
"The fact remains that approximately
85,000,000 people attend a movie every
week. These people are its chief boosters.
Those who seldom attend are its severest
critics.
"I was particularly surprised to read
that your movie critic is influenced by
the fact that the Journal receives advertising
and, therefore, comments favorably
on pictures. I have always felt that movie
critics get a lot of pleasure in making the
public believe that the really good pictures
are bad.
"Mrs. Hume's statement that the ten best
paying pictures of last year were on the
approved list of every group which appraises
pictures is 40 per cent incorrect.
Four of the pictures did not receive the
approval of the Legion of Decency.
"The motion picture business is far from
perfect. There are many problems that
must and will be solved. This can be accomplished
only by the people who know;
the business from the inside."
<
Photoplay Indorsers Pick
"10 Best" at Ft. Wayne
,
Fort Wayne, Ind.—The local chapter of
the Indiana Indorsers of Photoplays recently
announced their choice for the ten |~,
best motion pictures of '39 : "Goodbye, Mr.
Chips," "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,"
"Young Mr. Lincoln," "They Shall Have
Music," "Stanley and Livingstone," "The-, 'Jl
Women," "The Old Maid," "Union Pacific"; 1..
"Ninotchka," and "Bai>es in Arms."
The above ten were chosen from 35 outstanding
films of the year. The selectionwas
made at a luncheon meeting at the
home of Mrs. E. D. Campbell, in Port;
Wayne.
BOXOFFICE : : February 17, 1940

f
Catcalls as Costello
Confiscates Print
Chicago—Lieut. Harry M. Costello, Chicago
police censor, made page one of the
dailies again this week.
This time it was for stopping the showing
in a private hall at 3310 South Morgan
of a 16mm print, "The Invasion of Poland
by Hitler." He confiscated the print.
However, before that occurred, Costello
and the several policemen with him were
subjected to boos, catcalls and threats.
There were 500 persons of Polish descent
in the haU and each had paid 25 cents
to see the three-reel fUm. The performance
was sponsored by the Polish-American
Citizens' League.
The police arrested Boles Patzkoski on
a charge of showing an uncensored film.
He posted $1,000 bond.
Patzkoski charged the raid was unfair,
saying that the 16mm film used is the
type used in homes and clubs and had already
been shown three times without police
interference. Said Costello in answer:
•'The raid was made solely because the
organization had no police permit to show
the film.
"I myself tried to warn Patzkoski. I telephoned
the hall to tell him there was a
violation. I was told he wouldn't come to
the phone. There was nothing for me to
do but go to the hall with police."
Chicago Council Report
Lists Two for Family
Chicago—Most pictures in the current
of the Chicago Better Films Coun-
report
:il are listed for mature audiences. Only
;wo— "Main Street Lawyer," Republic, and
'Swanee River," 20th Century-Fox—are
isted for family consiunption.
The mature list includes: "The Big
juy," and "Green Hell," Universal; "The
housekeeper's Daughter" and "Raffles,"
JA; "A Child Is Bom" and "We Are Not
Mone," Warner; "Remember the Night,"
.Paramount; "Mexican Spitfire," RKO; and
'The End of the Day," French.
Promotions in Wholesale
By Warner in Chicago
Chicago—Several promotions have been
made in the Warner circuit here.
George Finley, chief of service, Avalon,
becomes senior chief of service; James Fennell,
Capitol chief, becomes senior chief;
John T. Mahon. Highland chief, moves
over to the post of senior chief at the
Stratford, while the post of junior chief at
the Stratford goes to Stephen Stanis, chief
at the Jeffery. Martin Frain, Stratford
chief, to junior chief, Avalon. James R.
Chevalier, chief of the Cosmo, to Capitol
junior chief. Nicholas Polales. Symphony
chief, to Highland chief. Nelzo Cassano,
Grove chief, to Cosmo cliief.
William Chevalier, Capitol assistant
chief, to Jeffery chief. John Melehes, Ogden
doorman, to Symphony chief. John
Falco, Grove doorman, becomes chief at
the Grove. Hugh Ward, assistant chief,
Stratford, to chief doorman. Grove. James
CoUopy, assistant chief, Rhodes, becomes
chief at the Rhodes. Richard Fahey. assistant
chief, Stratford, to chief doorman, Ogden.
James Hajost, doorman-usher, Stratford,
to doorman, Stratford. James Holmquist,
doorman-usher, Jeffery, to doorman.
Rhodes. William Creswell, doorman-usher.
Avalon, to doorman, Jeffery. Clayton Kelly,
assistant chief. Highland, to doorman.
Avalon. And George Danek, usher; Stratford,
to Highland doorman.
"Wind" Grows Stronger
Each Week in Chicago
Chicago—With the second week's gross
ahead of the opening week, it appeared
the third week of "Gone With the Wind"
at the Oriental and Woods here may exceed
the second stanza. The first week
was slightly under $65,000, while the
second week hit almost $67,000. There
appears no sign of abatement yet.
Yates and Grainger
Head Sales Meet
Chicago—Herbert J. Yates and James
R. Grainger headed the midwest regional
sales meeting of Republic franchise holders
here at the Drake Hotel.
Those attending included: Irving Mandel.
Chicago, Milwaukee and Indianapolis
franchise holder; Harry Lorch, Chicago
branch manager; J. M. Fi-ackman, Milwaukee;
L. W. Marriott. Indianapolis;
Ro'cert Withers, Kansas City franchise
holder; E. J. Tilton and H. M. Warren,
Des Moines and Omaha franchise holders;
Carl Reese, Omaha; Nat Steinberg and
Barney Rosenthal, St. Louis franchise
holders; Sam Seplowin, Detroit; Gilbert
Nathanson, Minneapolis franchise holder.
Woiine Council, Exhibs
^n License Fee Talks
MoLiNE, III.—Local exhibitors and the
ity council are in a huddle over the pro-
•osal of Alderman Harry Roman to inrease
the present $50 annual theatre 11-
ense now applying to the town's four
lOuses.
Roman's proposal would hike the fee to
150 for theatres with 500 seats or less,
Tith a rate of 20 cents per seat applying
b additional capacity.
luTora Civic Groups Buy
iadio Time for "Baby"
Aurora, III.—Local civic organizations,
ich as the Parent-Teacher Ass'n, puriiased
time on WMRO here to advertise
le merits of "Birth of a Baby." Eddie
I'TOssman, operator of the theatre reports.
At the Warner Parley in Chicago—
Lower photo shows Gradwell L. Scars. Vilagiapli president and Warner
general sales manager, addressing the jnid-season sales conference in the
Wi7idy City. At the left is Roy Haines, eastern and Canadian sales head: at
the right, Carl Leserman. assistant general sales manager. The single-column
shot reveals S. Charles Einfeld, left, director of advertising and publicity, in a
huddle with Mart Blumenstock, director of advertising and publicity in the
east.
DXOFnCE : : February 17. 1940

. . The
. . Discharge
. . Mid-West
HSSOCIATED Theatre Owners of Indiana,
Inc.. announces that Maurice
Reinking, operator of the Idaho and Swan
in Terre Haute, has become an active member,
also A. B. Tliompson of the Park and
Ritz in North Vernon.
The Associated Theatre Oicners of Indiana
has been invited to send a delegation
)III^1ID>1I[A\I^A1IP>(0)1ILIII^
to the Independent Theatre Owners of
Ohio convention to he held February 28-29
at Columbus . annual summer meeting
of ATOI will be held June 10, 11 and
12 at the Spink-Waivasee Hotel, Lake
Wawasee, Indiana. In conjunction with
this meeting will be featured the third annual
golf tournament.
Seen along the Row: Dick Vlastos, Fowler;
Roy Harrold, Rushville: Jack Van
Borssum, Terre Haute; Karl Gast, Akron;
Bob Hudson, Richmond: Mannie Marcus,
Fort Wayne; Wm. Studebaker. Logansport;
Sam Neall. Kokomo; D. D. Lee. Cayuga;
Harmon Allison, Mooresville; Joe Schilling,
Connersville ; A. McCarty. Pendleton; Abe
Kaufman, Terre Haute: Nick Paikos. Tipton;
Dick Neall, Edinburg; Harold Reekley,
Greencastle.
Al Ackerman, operator of the Tacoma.
gave away pictures of film stars to his
first 500 customers last Friday night . . .
Jim Kennedy at the Ritz is at it again. His
ushers are to have neiv uniforms soon.
Jim changes every six weeks . . . Earl Cunningham
at the Fountain Square will show
"Barricade" because of so many requests
for the film.
Tom Devine has booked Little Jack Little
and orchestra for next Sunday at his
new Music Hall . . . Dick Powell, local
Hollywood star, headlining
favorite and
this week's stage show at the Lyric, was
As part of the nation-wide drive of the
motion picture industry to raise $500,000
to aid Finnish civilians, Hoosier theatres
have set aside February 17 and 18 as "Help
Finland Days."
Sonja Heme's "Hollywood Ice Revue"
which opened on Tuesday, February 6 at
the new State Fair Ground's coliseum was
well received by Indianapolis fans. Among
first nighters of the show world were Marc
J. Wolf and wife, general manager of
Theatrical Managers, Inc.; Joe Neger, office
manager at Fox, and wife; Kurt Butler
of Columbia and wife; I. R. Holycross
and Mr. and Mrs. Harry Van Noy, Paramount
Theatre, Anderson; Alex Manta,
Indiana-Illinois Theatres, Chicago; Don
R, Rossiter, ATOI secretary; Earl Penrod,
Reduce Your Siiprev and lligli Intensi
CARBON WASTE
:r,% with the Cross Carbon Saving De
«rile for liooUlet and Trial
CROSS MACHINE SHOP
KTKOIT, MICH.
Bank Night distributor and wife; Danny
Penrod and Dean Hall of Boxoffice.
Theatrical Managers, Inc., operating approximately
20 theatres in Indiana, has
recently added a new theatre corporation
to their list, that of Y and W Management
Corp. V. U. Young is agent; the company
?ias 1,000 shares without par value; is incorporated
to operate theatres and other
amusement enterprises: Incorporators:
Marc J. Wolf. Robert R. Young and V. U.
Young.
Fort Wayne is scheduled to have a new
suburban house to be erected in the near
future by Frank Holland, former theatre
operator in Ohio . . . RKO has been working
with a short force due to the illness of
Roy Churchill, manager, who has the flu,
and Jerry Weiss, student booker, who also
has been ill . . . Mrs. Annette Kuebler,
operator of the Astra and Tivoli, in Jasper,
will be confined in a Louisville hospital
for a few weeks yet. Mrs. Kuebler
is recuperating after a major operation two
weeks ago.
C. E. Blake of the Louisville Savoy is
on the sick list. He is in a Chicago hospital
. . . Paramount exchange was visited
this week by Allen Usher, district manager
. . . S. B. Rees, operator of the Gem
in Plymouth, formally opened the new
Rees there last week . . . George A. Shauer,
co7inected with the Premier, Lake and
Memorial, in Valparaiso, with his brother
Justin Shauer, died here last week. Shauer
ivas president and treasurer of the Premier
Theatres, Inc., and had been in the
business with his brother and father for
•many years in Valparaiso.
given a royal Hoosier welcome. Many of
his friends turned out to greet him at the
station and a luncheon was given at the
^HE marquee of Fox's Strand here is
Variety Club with many local showmen in
being prettied
attendance . . . "GWTW" up with a fresh coat of
is in its third
paint . of three income tax
week at Loew's and doing sell-out business.
liens totaling $15,620, for the years 1920,
1921 and 1923, against the Majestic Theatre
Co. here, has been filed by Otto A.
La Budde, collector of internal revenue.
The theatre has since been converted into
a store building.
Fox's Orpheum in Green Bay has installed
a neiv screen and special projector
lenses for the showing of "Gone With the
Wind" . . . Stanley Lambert, manager of
the Rialto, Racine, reported the burglary
last week of cash and candy from a lobby
candy machine.
Feature of a Marinette Dollar Day promotion
in Marinette was a free show at
the Fox. Admission could be gained by
clipping a newspaper coupon . . . Robert
Guiterman staged Varsity Night at his
Capitol in Manitowoc. Gold footballs were
presented to the local high school champions
on the stage by several Green Bay
Packer stars.
With hundreds of farmers in Madison
attending Farm and Home Week in that
city, the Capitol presented the National
Barn Dance on the stage as a special program
tying in with the occasion . . . Elroy
Start on Drive-In Just
Outside Indianapolis
Indianapolis—Construction is underway
on the new drive-in being built on State
Road 67, just outside the city limits, by
Phil Smith. An RCA sound system, with
75-watt amplifier racks, has been purchased
for the ozoner, according to W. H.
Trunick. salesman.
Trunick also reports the sales of a sound
system for the new Lido in Michigan
City, to be opened around June 1 by Maurice
Rubin, and another sound system for
the new Fowler in Fowler, Ind.
500-Car Capacity House 1
For Broad Ripple Park
Indianapolis—A new open-air, drive-in
motion picture theatre with a capacity of
500 automobiles will be built in Broad
Ripple park this spring. The theatre
will occupy a ten-acre site east of the
park swimming pool, and approximately
$60,000 will be expended in construction.
Oscar Baur of Terre Haute, president
of the Terre Haute Brewing Co., is ow^ner
of Broad Ripple park which covers 62
acres. The architectural firm of Graham
and Knowlton of Indianapolis is architect
and engineer for the proposed theatre.
Donald Graham, a member of the architectural
firm, said contracts for the thea-'
tre are expected to be let within a few
days and work started immediately, with^
completion aimed for April 1. The theatre
will be enclosed.
Renovate in Roann, Ind.
RoANN, Ind.—The Eagles here has been
renovated. New seats, carpeting and
lighting have been installed.
MIIIIILWAIUKIEIE
Luedtke recently staged a Popeye Birthday
party for kids at Standard's Orpheum in
Kenosha. Besides three extra Popeye cartoons,
kids received a free candy birthday
party souvenir.
With the showing of "Gone With the
Wind at the Rex, Sheboygan, the Tipo.
Bar there offered on different days free
a Scarlett O'Hara cocktail, a Rhett Butler
cocktail, a Mississippi mule, a southern'
beauty, a Dixie whisky, an Alabama fizz,'
a Kentucky river and a Charleston, in ad-i
dition to toasted cheese sandwiches.
.
The General Theatre Co. of Oshkosh
has been dissolved. Charles Loioe was
president and Mrs. Ida Loive, secretary . .
"Gone With the Wind," originally slated
to open at the Capitol in Manitoiooc. February
17, has been postponed until February
24 because it has been impossible
for distributor to keep up print commitments
with present bookings.
The Isle Theatre Co. has filed articles
of incorporation at Rice Lake with Marie
Alnes, Rose Hiemenz and Marion McCuskey
as incorporators . Drive-
In Theatres, Inc.. Boston. Mass., has been
granted a permit for the erection of a $30,-
000 theatre just west of Milwaukee.
34 BOXOFFICE :: February 17, 194fli|

I
Miller,
I
I
£71
! Jack
. vice-president
: February
. . Roy
. . Van
C HI I C A C O
IJARRY SHERMAN, producer of Paramount
westerns, was through here on
Monday. He stopped off long enough to
screen his latest for Paramount salesmen,
"Light of Western Stars."
Marty Weiser, publicist who mil ivork
on the west coast with Sam Clark in
Henry HerbeVs ivestern district, left this
week.
Tom Gilliam was home this week with
the flu . . . Tom Flannery of Whiteway
Sign Service has returned from Miami
Beach. While there he met, among others,
Mort Goldberg, Henry Schoenstadt, Jack
Simon Simansky and Aaron Jones.
Mun Delano. Columbia office manager
and booker, is back at the exchange after
being aiuay for nearly ttvo months due to
illness.
Saxelin, LAI Monogram shipper who had
en in the industry more than 25 years,
died this week . . . Another back-room
death was that of a veteran inspectress,
Marie Downey of Columbia.
Alan Dinehart of the cast of "Thanks
aor My Wife" at the Selwyn, appeared
Vhis week on Hal Tate's "Movie Tattler"
radio show.
Clyde Eckliardt, 20th-Fox branch manager,
screened "Grapes of Wrath" for
siany exhibitors on Monday. It opens
jVIarch 1 at the Chicago.
route to the west coast on the Santa
Fe Chief over the weekend were Sabu and
lis brother. Shaik; and the following UA
I'xecutives: Murray Silverstone, Zoltan
Korda, and Charles Schimrtz, the latter
ji VA attorney. Arriving from the west
luas Zasu Pitts.
Blum and Guy C. Packard of Pholoplay
Advertising were in New York atending
the National Poster Ass'n meetng.
To Bob Haley, publicist for the RKO
'alace. goes credit for using the first quips
ocally in film advertising on "Confucius
t'ay." He used some of the gags to adver-
'se
the second week of "My Little Cliicka-
Irving Tombach has gone to Kansas City
J handle the advance campaign there on
le Mayer-Burstyn film, "Louise," starring
ilrace Moore . Bruder and his wife
If the Chicago plan to go to Florida the
•id of this month . Nomikos, who
of Allied of Illinois, was
) go to Washington this weekend on Alf'd
business.
iealth Olticers Close
Schools in Anderson
Anderson. Ind.—City health officers
ive ordered all local public schools closed
r a week because of the prevalence of
fluenza. Sixteen teachers and approxiately
2.000 have been absent because of
ness.
3XOFFICE :
Share Proceeds With
Fund for Finland
Milwaukee—Twenty-seven local theatres,
members of the ITPA of Wisconsin,
will share ticket proceeds with
the Finnish Relief Fund for two weeks.
C. O. Wanvig, local drive chairman,
says he expects the ticket sales to add
more than $6,000 to the fund, which
already exceeds $27,000 here.
The relief tickets are being sold from
February 26 to March 11 at factories
and business offices as well as at theatre
boxoffices. Participating houses
include the Oriental, Tower. Abby,
Alamo, Aragon. Atlas, Burleigh, Climax.
Colonial. Comet. Fern. Franklin,
Grand, Greendale. Hollywood, Liberty.
Lyric. Mozart, Murray, Park, Peerless.
Rainbow. Roosevelt, Roxy. Tosa and
Violet.
Earl Bell Elected V. P.
Oi ATOI's District 3
Indianapolis—Earl Bell of the Howard
has been elected vice-president of District
No, 3 of the Associated Theatre Owners of
Indiana to succeed Carl Niesse, general
manager of the Olson Theatre Enterprises.
The board meeting taking the above action
was attended by the following: Roy
E. Harrold, Rushville; Oscar Fine, Evansville;
Walter F. Easley, Greensburg; Joe
Schilling, Connersville; H. Lisle Krieghbaum,
Rochester; Trueman Rembusch,
Franklin; Alex Manta, Chicago; Ernest L.
Miller. Joseph F. Smith, A. C. Zaring,
Harry Markun, Isaac Holycross, Earl Bell
and Don R. Rossiter, all of Indianapolis.
Next regular meeting will be held at
association office on March 5.
Gubernatorial Candidate
May Be Industry Friend
Springfield. III.—Should Harry B. Hershey,
Taylorville. chairman of the Democratic
state central committee, who was
selected at a slate making meeting here as
the Democratic candidate for governor of
Illinois, succeeding Governor Horner, be
elected, the theatre operators of Illinois
will probably find him sympathetic to their
cause.
Hershey, as a member of the firm of
Hershey and Bliss, is attorney for the
Frisina Amusement Co. with several theatres
in Springfield and others in various
central Illinois cities.
WB Houses Take Part
Chicago—Local Warner houses over the
weekend participated in the Herbert Hoover
Finnish Relief Fund drive. Girls, in Finnish
costume, stood in the lobbies with
collection baskets. No solicitations were
made.
Directors Re-elected
LaPorte. Ind.—Directors of the LaPorte
Theatre Co. have been re-elected. They
are Dr. R. B. Jones, A. Sommerfield, Mrs.
Eva Steinberg, H. A. Lindgren, J. C.
Richter, J. Levine and Isadore E. Levine.
^PR'CilFllllEllLlO
CAMUEL N. BONANSINGA, business
manager of the theatrical stage employes
union, has been elected president
of the Springfield Federation of Labor
without opposition.
Gus Kerasotes. president of the Kerasotes
theatres, recently ivas a patient at
St. John's Hospital, for a health check-up.
Tanner's Roseland at Pana was scheduled
to open February 14.
George Kerasotes. general manager of
Kerasotes Theatres, jvho ivas married February
3 to Miss Marjorie Bae Birnbaum, is
honeymooning with his bride in Florida
and Havana, Cuba.
Tony Serra jr., operator at the Tivoli.
was married February 3 at St. Joseph's
Church to Miss Clara Sanders.
Two theatre cashiers. Miss Mary Innicotti.
of the Roxy, and Ada loca, of the
Tivoli, are having their tonsils out.
Bill Martin, maintenance man at the
Roxy, again is rushing spring. He has
bought a new trailer, closed up his apartment
and moved into the trailer.
John Giachetto. son of Dominic Giachetto,
treasurer of the Frisina chain, is recovering
from a sprained ankle, received
playing soccer at college.
The Orpheum is doing such big business
these days that it was necessary to install
another boxoffice—to take care of reservations
for George White's Scandals, February
16; "Gone With the Wind" starting
February 18, and for the personal appearance
of Jeanette MacDonald at the
theatre March 20.
An Extension for Altec
MuNCiE, Ind.—Theatrical Managers,
Inc., have added the Strand here to the 14
theatres that have renewed contracts for
Altec service.
TRADE DIRECTORY
^^A Handy Guide for the Exhibitor^—
CHICAGO
SIGNS - MARQUEES AND
MAINTENANCE
White Way Electric Sign & Maintenance Co.
Tom Flannery, President
315-17 W. Walton Street
Phone DELaware 9111
THEATRICAL PRINTING
A. B. C. PRINTERS, INC.
WE PRINT EVERYTHING THEATRICAL
1225 South Wabash — Chicago
For lowest prices Call—VIC 3456
17, 1940 35

. . Alano
Eden Would Bring
Picketing Suit
St. Louis—The Eden Theatre Co., operator
of the Fox, a 5,000-seat de luxer,
has filed a petition in the circuit court
asking permission to bring a suit for $75,-
000 damages against James A. McKeown
and WUliam Brandt, secretary of the Central
Trades and Labor Union, as co-receivers
for Local No. 143, operators' union.
The petition avers the company has suffered
a loss of at least $75,000 in business
and good will because of the union's picketing
and boycotting of the theatre.
The Eden Theatre Co. has a contract
with the Fanchon & Marco Service Corp.
to manage the theatre and to negotiate
for the employment of all the theatre's
workers and that Fanchon & Marco exercises
control over aU the employes.
Last October 5, the petition continues,
the union notified the Fox that two members
of the union employed by the theatre
had lost their working privilege and should
be replaced by two other union members.
The theatre refused to replace the projectionists
and, as a result, the petition
charges that the co-receivers "entered into
an unlawful combination" with officers
and members of the union to "damage the
theatre by picketing, boycotting and false
and damaging statements."
It also alleged that the union's receivers
hold funds of the union in excess of $100,-
000 and it is from these monies that the
Eden company seeks to collect the $75,000.
Co-receiver McKeown said: "There is
nothing I can say. Everything we have
done has been open and above board."
Fanchon & Marco recently filed a $200,-
000 damage suit against the officers and
members of the union alleging loss of business
due to the picketing of their theatres.
Ted Nicholas to Marry
Deletha Hill Sunday
Indianapolis—Ted Nicholas, manager for
Orrin Tucker and his orchestra and former
manager of the Lyric here, will be
married Sunday in Cincinnati to Miss
Deletha Hill.
The ceremony will be read at the home
of Mr. and Mrs. Royal Nicholas, with Mrs.
"William Kiley as matron of honor and Mr.
Kiley as best man. A reception will follow.
Palace Date for "Abe"
Reported in Chicago
Chicago—It is understood RKO's "Abe
Lincoln in Illinois" is penciled in for the
RKO Palace at regular run starting March
29 or April 5, with the stage play, now
current at the Grand Opera House, due
to leave Easter week.
Sage Joins Anderson
Morris, III.—Jack Sage, formerly manager
of the Uptown, Marceline, Mo., for the
Griffith-Dickinson circuit, has resigned to
become associated with the home office of
the Anderson circuit here.
ST. not) MS
pxpxY-FI'VE St. Louis theatres set aside
February 17 and 18 as "Help Finland"
days in cooperation with the Finnish Relief
Fund. Special exhibits were shown,
while girls from the International Institute,
Washington University sorority girls,
and Girl Scouts in Finnish costumes, received
contributions in the lobbies.
The Variety Club party February 10 at
which Ray Colvin and Al Meyer were the
hosts, proved highly successful. There was
inusic and dancing and a number of prizes
were given away. At a special meeting
February 9 in the club headquarters at the
Roosevelt Hotel, there was an induction of
new members.
Admission prices for operatic presentations
at the Municipal Auditorium have
been substantially reduced and the number
of low-priced seats greatly increased.
New scale ranges from $1 to $4 . . . The
24th season of Lutheran noonday Lenten
services is now in progress at the American.
The half-hour services begin at
12:30 o'clock Mondays through Fridays.
The film version of "The Grapes of
Wrath" opens at Fanchon & Marco's Fox
on March 1 . . . "Gone With the Wind"
has been averaging well in excess of $50,-
000 per week at Loew's. It's now in Us
third week, with tickets on sale for the
fourth still in demand . Dass,
young mind reader, opened a week's engagement
at the St. Louis Theatre, February
16.
Burton Holmes opens his 1940 Travelogue
season in the Opera House of the
Municipal Auditorium, February 19. It
will feature "Heroic, Friendly Finland" . . .
Julien Bryan, free-lance cameraman and
lecturer, will show motion pictures of the
siege of Warsaw at the Opera House,
February 21.
Figure skating champs from the United
States, Canada and Europe will participate
in the Ice Follies of 1940 at the Arena
for six nights opening on February 27 . . .
An elaborate half-hour quiz show will be
aired by KWK direct from the stage of the
Fox every Thursday at 8 p. m. Switzer
Candy Co. will bankroll the stunt, designed
to plug a new product "Switzer's Licorice
Twist." Opening show is on February 22.
Chicago Amusement Club
Opens New Clubrooms
Chicago—The Amusement Club of Chicago
hosted over 100 members, their wives
and friends at the formal opening of the
group's new club rooms in the Stevens
Hotel last week. A buffet dinner was served
at midnight and boxes of favors were distributed.
Conducts Rooney Contest
man-
Elkhart. Ind.—Rex Williams, city
ager for Indiana-Illinois Theatres here,
conducted a contest to select a youngster
with a "Mickey Rooney Personality." The
lucky youngster, Billy Miller, was awarded
a free trip to the premiere of "Young Tom
Edison," in Port Huron. Williams accompanied
him.
Judge Rules Brady
Must Stand Trial
St. Louis—State Rep. Edward M. "PuttyliJ
Nose" Brady must go to trial March 4 on
a charge that he conspired to extort $10,-
000 from certain theatre owners in 1936
about the time the annual wage scale
agreement of the Moving Picture Operators
union was up for consideration, Circuit
Judge Thomas J. Rowe having overruled
Brady's motion that the indictment against
him be quashed.
Brady was indicted jointly with John P.
Nick, international vice-president of the
lATSE, who was acquitted of the charge a
few weeks ago after Judge Rowe ruled that
the state's evidence against Nick was not
sufficient to convict.
Nick is under another indictment in
which he and Clyde A. Weston, former
business manager of the operators' union,
are charged with extortion in 1937 when
the wage scale agreement came up again
for renewal.
Nick to Seek Rehearing
Of Union "Ouster" Case
St. Louis—Counsel for Jolm P. Nick, international
vice-president of the lATSE,
has announced a rehearing will be sought
in the case in which the St. Louis court of
appeals recently sustained the ruling of
Circuit Judge Ernest F. Oakley ousting
Nick and Clyde A. Weston, business manager
of Local No. 143, operators' union,
from control over the affairs of the organization.
Basis for the rehearing will be that the
temporai-y receivers have exceeded authority
vested in them through the order of
Judge Oakley, by calling strikes and main-(
taining pickets.
Valentine Parties Held
By Warner-Saxe Houses
Milwaukee—Valentine parties were in
order February 10 at 11 local Warner-
Saxe theatres and in three more of the
circuit's houses here February 11 with five
valentines given free to every girl and
boy.
Houses staging the parties included the
Garfield, National, Milwaukee, Uptown,
Egyptian, Savoy, Juneau, Prince.ss, Modjeska.
Lake, Parkway, Tivoli, Granada and
Mirth. Similar parties were staged by the
Tower, Oriental and Times theatres.
The Grand at Wausau. in connection'
with its Valentine party February 10, gave
special prizes for the best home-made
comic valentines in addition to a valentine
all lollypop to attending.
Bankruptcy Petition
St. Louis—An involuntary bankruptcy
petition has been filed in the United States
district court here against the Greenman
Theatres, Inc., which formerly operated
several neighborhood and suburban theatres
in this vicinity. The petitioning creditors
and their claims are: Morris L. Rosenblum
Co., $1,791; August Reineri & Sons,
$100, and William Houser, Inc., $781.
BOXOFFICE : : February 17, 1940

I
The
Indiana Employment
Continues to Gain
Indianapolis—Employment and payroll
advances in Indiana manufacturing plants
were recorded for the fifth consecutive
month as reports for mid-December were
tabulated. The seven non-manufacturing
groups studied also showed larger totals,
IS the Christmas influence caused retail
rade to make its greatest percentage gains
n recent years. In the retail field, emoloyment
gained 15.0 per cent with payoUs
13.1 per cent over November.
This data is collected monthly from a
representative group of Indiana employes
by the employment service section of
he U. S. bureau of labor statistics.
Weekly factory payrolls at the mid-De-
-ember period averaged $8,349,381, an inrease
of 4.2 per cent over November, and
:9.5 per cent over December, 1938.
The estimated number of wage earners
mployed in Indiana manufacturing indusries
in mid-December was 299.620, or apiroximately
5,600 more than the number
••orking in mid-November. This is an inrease
of 1.9 per cent.
seasonal index of Indiana manuacturing
employment, based on totals
rom 1930 to 1935, inclusive, shows a loss
f 0.3 per cent, which is considered norlal
for the November-December period. A
jrther study reveals that the average loss
1 manufacturing employment from Noember
to December for the four years
as 1.9 per cent.
The period from July to December, 1939,
as one of pronounced improvement in
lanufacturing lines. Estimates showed
lat nearly 45,000 more wage earners were
nployed in Indiana factories in Decem-
;r than in July, an increase of 17.6 per
!nt. The normal seasonal trend accounts
ir an increase of 0.9 per cent, or approxiately
2,300 wage earners, over this fiveonth
period. Prom July to December,
.ctory payrolls advanced 33.3 per cent,
ore than $2,085,000 in the weekly total.
Factory employment and payrolls
iroughout 1939 showed pronounced gains
'er 1938. The average number of manucturing
wage earners employed in 1939
as 268,000. This is 13.7 per cent above
,e average for 1938. However, the 1939
erage factory employment was 14.0 per
nt below the 1937 average.
In 1939, factory pay rolls were 27.6 per
mt above the 1938 level but 13.3 per cent
low the 1937 figure. The 1939 weekly
"Crage of factory payrolls was almost
1,500,000 greater than the 1938 average.
The gain in manufacturing employment
id most of the increase in payrolls from
Id-November to mid-December was attbutable
to expansion in the automole
bodies and parts industry. Plants in
tis industry were employing nearly 5,900
I ire wage earners in December than in
I'Vember. Their weekly payrolls ad-
\nced approximately $250,000. These incases
compare with gains of 5.600 in all
fnutacturing employment and $336,000
i weekly manufacturing payrolls. Alt)ugh
there was a general expansion in
t; automobile industry, most of the inc
ase resulted from the opening of plants
BOWLEG
Chicago—National Screen has finally
jumped into first place in the Film Bowling
League, having won one game from
the Film Carriers, while Republic was forfeiting
three to Paramount. Photoplay
took two from Warners, while 20th Century-Fox
whitewashed Universal.
Abe Fischer of 20th -Pox set a new
league high for individual series with 651.
The standings:
Won Lost
Nnt ional Screen 36 34
Kciiublic 35 •>-•
Photoplay 33 «7
inim Curriers 33 27
Paramount 29 :u
20tli renturj-Fox 27 .Ci
I'niversal 24 :«i
M'unier Bros 23 .'i"
Lottery Charge Dismissed
By Jury in Indianapolis
Indianapolis—A jury in municipal court
here exonerated Orvin J. Moore, manager
of the Ohio, and James Kenny, usher, of
charges of operating a lottery via "Bank
Roll" after deliberating 30 minutes.
Chenoa Ritz Reopens
Chenoa, III.—Elmer Larson has reopened
the Ritz, which was recently gutted
by fire. The theatre has been entirely
remodeled and modernized with new
rest rooms, a new cooling system and other
improvements.
Handle Contributions for Finns
Chicago—Sophia Schoenstadt and Evelyn
Elisberg are handling contributions from
the film industry for the Finnish Relief
Fund.
Show Fight Film
Chicago—The Joe Louis-Arturo Godoy
fight film was shown this week at the
Palace and Chicago.
which had been affected by labor disputes
in November.
Gains in retail trade were sufficient to
increase the totals of employment and payrolls
in mid-December for the seven groups
of non-manufacturing firms for which it
is possible to give estimated totals. Indiana
retail establishments employed an
estimated 124,000 wage earners in mid-
December. This total exceeded any month
during the period for which corresponding
data is available, that is, since January,
1935. There was a net gain of more than
16,000 in the number of wage earners employed
in Indiana retail establishments
from mid-November to mid-December.
General merchandising establishments
alone increased employment approximately
11.800. or 52.1 per cent.
Indiana factory workers received an average
of $27.87 per week for the period reported
in December. This was the highest
weekly wage recorded for 1939 and an increase
of 2.3 per cent above the November
average.
Importation of Stars
Is Hit by Columnist
Milwaukee — Howard "Buck" Herzog,
film critic of the Senti7iel. in his column
recently took a rap at producers importing
foreign stars. The rap:
"A lot of concrete evidence seems to be
piling up that there is something wrong
either with American girls or the brains of
cinema land. Maybe the moguls of Hollywood
have been spending so much time on
foreign shores, they've failed to take cognizance
of what the good old United States
has to offer in the way of feminine pulchritude.
For the figures undeniably prove
that the younger crop of motion picture
stars is dominated heavily by foreign invaders.
"Saw an excellent film the other night
titled -The Light That Failed,' in which a
foreign importation by the name of Muriel
Angelus makes her American debut opposite
Ronald Colman. She's getting the
usual Hollywood buildup, such as being
heralded as 'a new, striking beauty,' et
cetera. We could waltz you down to the
corner of Third and Wisconsin and signal
out four out of five gals who have more
beauty than Miss Angelus.
"Histrionic ability though, is another
matter. However, it's the contention of
this department that if any American
beauty were given a chance to play opposite
Ronald Colman, she too would emerge
as a new star.
"Hollywood ought to revive that slogan,
'Buy American,' to read 'Hire American.'
We think the paying public even would
like it better."
An Interest Is Manifested
In Book Review Sessions
Chicago—Numerous exhibitors have inquired
about book review sessions following
the first-week success of the plan at
the Warner Beverly Theatre here which
was handled by Ted Turrell, manager, and
Larry Stein, Warner zone publicity head.
The initial session was attended by
over 400 women. It started at 1 o'clock,
an hour before the regular matinee. The
book review session is free to women
patrons buying admissions for the regular
matinee.
Mrs. Florence Bourke Ellis, prominent
Chicago book reviewer, conducted the first
session. Such meetings will be held at the
Beverly regularly every other Tuesday
afternoon.
Turrell circularizes his neighborhood,
runs a trailer on the screen, has a lobby
display and contacts all women's clubs
about the book reviews.
Rites for Yockey
St. Louis—Funeral seiTlces were held
here February 10 for John Yockey, who
operated a theatre at 6919 South Broadway
some years ago. He resided in St.
Louis for more than 70 years and was 89
years old.
BXOFFICE :: February 17, 1940 37

Lantz Feature Cartoon
In Fall of Next Year
Chicago—'^Aladdin and His Wonderful
Lamp," the feature cartoon which Walter
Lantz has announced for production, wall
run about 60 minutes, he told reporters
while here recently. He plans to have it
ready for distribution the fall of 1941,
with the story content to be completed
some time within the next six months.
Lantz said that he has completed three
of his new "Andy Panda" series for Universal,
with three more to go. He is producing
13 shorts altogether for Universal
this year. His new distributing medium
will be announced within a few days, he
said.
"Life With Father" Opens
At Blackstone Feb. 19
Chicago—Oscar Berlin's production of
Clarence Day's "Life With Father" opens
on the stage of the Blackstone here Monday
night, February 19. Lillian Gish. sUent
star, plays the lead.
Serlin foi-merly was on the publicity staff
of B&K here, and was also connected with
Paramount's publicity department for some
time on the west coast.
New Seating Job
Chicago—Howard Harris of International
Seat Co. has installed new seats
in the Eagle, Eddie Zorn's new house at
Pontiac. It is a 500-seat house.
Madison Revivals
Madison, Wis. — The Madison is presenting
a program of revivals each Monday
and Tuesday with a scale of 15 cents
at all shows.
Chicago March Releases
WEEK OF MARCH 3
3914—All Women Have Secrets (Para)—70.
15—Nick Carter, Master Detective (M-G-M)
—58.
026—Barricade (20th-Fox)—69.
453—Four Wives (FN)—96.
1101—Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (Col)
—130.
4022—Framed (Univ)—60.
4060—Chip of the Flying U (Univ)—55.
—Under Western Stars (Rep)—65 reissue.
—Hidden Enemy (Mono)—63.
-Monastery (Mono)—60 reissue.
—Thunder Mountain (Sup)—60.
—Exile Express (FA)—70 reissue.
—Cipher Bureau (FA)—70 reissue.
WEEK OF MARCH 10
3916—Great Victor Herbert (Para)—90.
11—Remember? (M-G-M)— 82.
012—Cisco Kid and the Lady (20th-Fox)—72.
411—Kid Nightingale (WB)—56.
4011—Charlie McCarthy, Detective (Univ)—77.
945—Escape to Paradise (RKO)—61.
918—Wolf of Newf York (Rep)—68.
—Secret Four (Mono)—78.
—Human Monster (Mono)—70.
—Wild Brian Kent (Sup)—62 reissue.
—Long Shot (FA)—69 reissue.
—Shadows Over Shanghai (FA)—65 reissue.
WEEK OF MARCH 17
3912—Night of Nights (Para)—84.
13—Another Thin Man (M-G-M)— 101.
022—Inspector Hornleigh on Holiday ;20th-
Fox)—75.
406—Brother Rat and a Baby (WB)—88.
496—Man From Monterey (WB)—60 reissue.
1007—Amazing Mr. Williams (Col)—83.
4021—Oh, Johnny, How You Can Love (Univ)
—64.
—Gunga Din (RKO)— 117 reissue.
—Vivacious Lady (RKO)—90 reissue.
—Oh! Susannah (Rep)—64 reissue.
—Mill on the Floss (Mono)—75.
—Pioneer Days (Mono)—51.
-Secret Valley (Sup)—63 reissue.
—Panama Patrol (FA)—69 reissue.
—Frontier Scout (FA)—
WEEK OF MARCH 24
3915—Gulliver's Travels (Para)—75.
017—Swanee River (20th-Fox)— 86.
470—Smashing the Money Ring (FN)—55.
—Intermezzo (UA)— 69.
4054—Man From Montreal (Univ)—59.
015—Hunchback of Notre Dame (RKO)— 114.
919—Village Barn Dance (Rep)—72.
—East Side Kids (Mono)—62.
—Danger Ahead (Mono)—60.
—Phantom Ranger (Sup)—59.
WEEK OF MARCH 31
3919—Remember the Night (Para)—93.
029—Everything Happens at Night (20th-
Fox)—76.
458—We Are Not Alone (FN)— 109.
—Raffles (UA)—71.
1211—Taming of the West (Col)—55.
4041—Green Hell (Univ)—84.
016—Mexican Spitfire (RKO)—67.
964—Pioneers of the West (Rep)—57.
-Rhythm of the Rio Grande (Mono)—57.
—lust Like a Woman (Mono)—73.
—Children of the Wild (FA)—57.
How to operate motion picture
profitably
theatres
Here is a new book full of HOW TO DO IT information, v/ritten by a man
who believes that the first objective of theatre management is to make money.
In this book he covers motion picture theatre management from A to Z,
giving the best results of years of experience as a guide in establishing'
successful policies, building profitable business, and efficiently operating any
size theatre.
The Management of
Motion Picture Theatres 1
Get This Great Aid to Theatre
Management! GET IT TODAY!!
By FRANK H. RICKETSON, Jr.
President, Fox Inter-Mountain Theatres, Inc.
375 pages, 6x9, illustrated, $3.50
Send check or money order to
ASSOCIATED PUBLICATIONS, 4804 East Ninth Street, Kansas City, Missour
BOXOFFICE : : February 17, 19«i R;.

.
hXCFHCE
''.
15
Now, Nothing But
"A" Houses
Lincoln—Warner Bros, and those other
film companies who have joined
with them in announcing nothing but
"A" features for the coming season,
will be glad to know there's an exhibitor
here ready for 'em. In the past
year, J. H. Cooper has modernized two
of his three theatre properties here
the Nebraska and the Lincoln. He is
now planning to fix up the Stuart.
In which case, he'll have nothing but
"A" houses.
Ask Exchanges' Aid
[n Admission War
Minneapolis—Competing Gateway disrict
exhibitors have requested local exhanges
to discontinue servicing the Stocklolm
as long as that theatre puts out
wo-for-one tickets wth the consequent
ffect of reducing its dime admission scale
a nickel for double features. The the-
,tre also has cash gift nights.
100,000 to Boys Town as
lefro Plans a Sequel
Omaha—Ready to produce a sequel to
Joys Town," Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer is
reparing to turn over $100,000 to Father
J. Flanagan, head of Boys Town, Neb.,
pay off the mortgage incurred in conruction
of a new building there.
In making the new picture. Metro will
ilize the same technicians and artists
10 created the initialer.
eek "Peaceful" Solution
)f Film Product Problem
Minneapolis—The Benz brothers, who
ve obtained a 60-day option on the
')00-.seat Minnesota, will try to effect a
eaceful" solution of the problem of ob-
1 lining major film product for the house
Mich they operated for the owners re-
' I'ntly during a 25-week period.
Serious Drift ofK C Theatre
Trade Away From First Runs
Kansas City—The problem of the drift
of business away from downtown centers
is one not peculiar to Kansas City. Other
cities have felt it to some extent. But
here it has grown steadily more serious
in the past ten years because there has
been little, if any. attempt to solve it.
The problem has seriously affected downtown
first runs, particularly at their evening
shows.
A well defined program is just getting
under w-ay to rejuvenate the downtown
area and make it the center of attraction
for the city—for both business and entertainment.
Sponsored by the Chamber
of Commerce and including as active participants
key figures in the downtown
world, the movement has set up both immediate
and long time objectives, and expects
to begin their realization at once.
Because it promises to alleviate a situation
that eventually may jeopardize the
existence of first runs, which bear the
brunt of film rentals in Kansas City, the
movement has attracted the attention of
the motion picture business here. Downtown
first run managers are members of
the key advisory committee of the move-
It is claimed, that with the exception
f M-G-M. all the exchanges are servicing
ment, and are pressing the importance of
he Stockholm. Tlie opposition hopes that
their position and needs on the program
can induce the other branches to quit
; it as develops.
elling the theatre.
Opposition exhibitors charge that prosective
patrons stand near the theatre
Would Solve Parking Problem
summarized, objectives
Briefly of the
oxoffice with the two-for-one tickets and movement are these:
iduce customers to use them so that they
1. Solution of the parking problem.
an attend the show free or for a nickel. 2. Creation of traffic arteries to the
Some of the exhibitors are fearful that
>ne Stockliolm situation will give the
southeast, southwest and northeast, with
and
auxiliary consideration of streetcar
enzes an additional prop in a contemlated
obtain pictures double
bus traffic.
3. Elimination
fight to for of slum areas that en-
circle the downtown and replacing them
Baturing at the 1.800-seat Palace, which
1 is proposed to reopen at a dime addssion.
with modern housing projects.
The exchanges have been in-
4. A cleanup and modernization drive to
sting that the theatre charge a minimum remove the accumulated grime of a decade
and to modernize buildings. A block system
cents in order to obtain product,
he de luxe house is on the edge of the
of supervision has been proposed with
;op only a few blocks distant from the a supervisor for each block in the area.
nailer and less pretentious Gateway the- A committee of architects and engineers
would serve as advisors.
5. Downtown comfort stations, prohibition
of excessive noise, elimination of
smoke, improvement of sidewalks and
curbs, removal of overhead signs, and improvement
of lighting in the district.
6. A campaign to attract people to downtown
Kansas City, both from Kansas City
and from surrounding territories.
Of these objectives the solution of the
problems of parking and traffic are of the
most immediate importance to downtown
theatres. The difficulty of getting into the
area is one of the things that steadily has
driven the film trade from first runs to
suburban theatres. Combined with the
25-mile speed limit, it has made the trip
downtown in the evening a disagreeable
task to many seeking entertainment. With
trafficways, built to permit fairly high
speeds, moviegoers could get to the downtown
sector from almost any point in the
city in a very short time. If, after they
got into the area, there was plenty of
easily accessible parking space, the downtown
businesses, including theatres, could
attract crowds. At present any sizeable
crowd makes it almost impossible to find
a parking place, and makes it extremely
difficult not only to get downtown but
to get out again.
Inadequate trafficways and parking are
the primary barriers to drawing people
downtown, and the other points in the
program, such as cleanup and modernization,
the campaign to "sell" downtown
Kansas City, etc., would be effective only
if those two problems were solved.
Perhaps the project of second importance
to downtown theatres is the proposal
for slum clearance and modern
housing, which, of necessity, is a long
range objective. But if the slums could
be eliminated, and close-in districts be
rebuilt with modem living facilities, the
difference to first run and other downtown
theatres would be enormous. Achievement
of this objective would not necessarily
mean the attraction of business away
from outlying theatres; it would mean
utilization of what now are "blighted
areas" for the city's future growth.
The drift away from downtown first runs
began with the decline of vaudeville and
the development of modern sound and projection
equipment. For ten years there
has been nothing to stop that drift. It can
be seen in the reversal of matinee and
evening business in downtown first runs.
Formerly the bulk of business was done
at evening shows at their higher admission
prices. Today it is done on matinees.
This does not mean that enough more are
coming in the afternoon to make up the
difference. The difference hasn't been
made up.
The suburban theatre, wdth its comfortable
seats, fine projection and sound
equipment, air conditioning, and attractive
surroundings offers the same show
as the downtown first run. which gets as
much as 250 per cent more than the suburban
in admission price. About the only
thing the downtown first run has to offer
—except, possibly, for larger and more
ornate surroundings—is 27 days quicker
view of pictures.
KMTA Directors Meeting
Set tor Early in March
Kansas City—Tentatively set for the
first part of March is a directors' meeting
of the Kansas-Missouri Theatre Ass'n.
Several industry matters, including the
Neely bill, will be taken up at the session,
according to Frank Cassil of St. Joseph,
Mo., head of the organization. One matter
that may be discussed is the annual
convention, which, however, is expected
to be held later this year than usual, possibly
in September, due to the absence of
legislative sessions on either side of the
Kansas-Missouri state line.
Gets Ginger Rogers Starrer
Hollywood— "Kitty Foyle," next Ginger
Rogers starrer for RKO. will be adapted
by Robert Ardrey.
:
; February 17, 1940
39

: February
'
i
j
Use of "Memorial"
Halls Contested
By B. O. TELLER
Kansas City—An incident in Kansas
City, Kas., last week is of wide interest
to exhibitors of that state since it brings
up court decisions affecting the use of
"memorial auditoriums" in the state.
Radio station KMBC (Kansas City, Mo.)
arranged to stage its Saturday night
"Brush Creek Follies," a radio feature
that has also been popular on the stage
of Ivanhoe Temple for some time, at
Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kas. The
Theatre Owners Ass'n of Kansas City,
Kas., called the attention of the three
trustees that govern the Memorial Hall to
the court opinions holding that the hall
cannot be used by private concerns. KMBC
charges admission to the stage presentations
of the "Follies."
Court decisions covering use of such
buUdings should interest Kansas exhibitors,
since they may sometime face a
situation similar to those reflected in those
decisions.
In the case of Darby vs. Otterman, the
Kansas supreme court held that "a taxpayer
of Kansas City can maintain an
action to enjoin the city officers and
trustees of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial
building of Kansas City, erected
under the provisions of sections 73-401 to
73-410, of the Revised Statutes, from leasing
any part of such building to a private
corporation, where taxes must be levied
for the upkeep of the building, for janitor
services in it, for repairs to it, and for
heat and light for it." In the same case
the court held that "a city has no power
to lease to a private corporation any part
of a building erected under the provisions
of Sections 73-401 to 73-410 of the Revised
Statutes."
In the case of State of Kansas vs. City
of Independence, the court said: "The
trustees of a military memorial building
have no power to lease the whole or any
part of the building."
An opinion of more direct interest to
exhibitors was that issued in the case of
State of Kansas vs. City of Hiawatha:
"A city is without authority to conduct
moving-picture and road shows for profit
in a military memorial auditorium erected
at public expense to commemorate the
valorous achievements of American soldiers,
in pursuance of the authority granted
by the legislature in Chapter 256 of
the Laws of 1921 ... In the act named
there is no express authority given to cities
to engage in a commercial enterprise such
as the moving-picture business, and nothing
in the powers granted by the legislature
warrants the implication that cities
may use the memorial buildings to carry
on private business for profit."
In the case of Electric Theatre (Kansas
City, Kas.) vs. Darby, et al., the court
held that "The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial
Building of Kansas City may not be
leased to private persons for exhibition
of motion pictures, and a taxpayer of the
city may enjoin such leasing."
In Dickinson vs. City of Hiawatha, the
court stated that "Chapter 252 of the
Laws of 1929 does not authorize the trustees
of a memorial building ... to lease
the building for the purpose of carrying
on a purely commercial enterprise."
The position of the court is that a taxpayer
as such cannot maintain an action
against the official trustees of such a
building, but that one with an interest
(who can show injury), such as an exhibitor,
may do so. In Rodenbeck vs. Darby
the court held that "An individual taxpayer
cannot maintain an action against
the official trustees having the management
and control of a public building to
question the validity of a contract leasing
the auditorium thereof for weekly athletic
contests at which an admission
charge is made, when the auditorium is
not sought or required for some public use,
where the plaintiff cannot show that he
has a special interest in the subject matter
of the action, and where he fails to
show that his tax burdens would be increased
as a result of the contract."
In other words, someone in the amusement
business, with which an affair calling
for a paid admission was in competition,
could maintain such an action if the
affair were held in such a memorial building.
Frank HoUingsworth Suit
Slated for Docket Soon
Lincoln—Slated for early appearance
on the federal court docket here is Frank
Hollingsworth's suit, charging anti-trust
activities to Fox Midwest Theatres in
Beatrice, Neb., which will bring to a head
a long battle of opposition in Nebraska's
only major six-day show town.
Hollingsworth's legal battery is E. F.
Nye, former Omaha film board of trade
attorney, and Paul Good, who handled the
"Gloves" to Krumgold
Hollywood—Paramount has assigned
Sigmund Krumgold to score "Golden
Gloves."
'Jungle Boy" Bound—
Sabu. star of Alexander Korda's
"Thief of Bagdad." peruses a page of
"Jungle Boy" aboard a loestbound
train in the Kansas City union station
on his way to Hollywood to begin
work in the picture of that title.
With him were Zolton Korda, director,
and his wife.
Film Shortage Fear
Fed by Extensions
Minneapolis — Danger of a product
shortage later in the season for independent
neighborhood houses in the Twin
City area continues to loom large in exhibitors'
minds with the extension of the
"Gone With the Wind" run and the piling
up of other holdovers.
Last week there were only three new releases,
excluding those at the double feature
Aster with its admission scale of
15 cents to 5 p. m. and 25 cents there-
after. These were "Fighting 69th." "Eternally
Yours" and "Return of Dr. X." The
latter played the 25 cent Gopher. Independent
neighborhood exhibitors claim
they can't follow the Aster or Gopher
successfully.
The current week brought no improvement,
but, instead, an aggravation of the
situation, with only two newcomers, not
counting the Aster. "The Fighting 69th" !«
moved over to the Century for an
''
extension
of its loop first-run and "Gone
;,
With the Wind" and "Destry Rides Again
went into its third week at the Orpheum
»
and World, respectively. The two new
'-.
•
first-runs were "Swanee River" and
"Charhe McCarthy, Detective," the latter i
at the Aster. p
/. /. Friedl Denies Report
New Lease Considered
MiNNEAPOLis^Rumors in local film circles
that Minnesota Amusement has arranged
to lease a new $100,000 neighborhood
theatre of 1,200 seats to be built in
William Youngclaus case against the producers
and distributors over protection,
which Youngclaus won with a $25,000 settlement.
the circuit's general manager. :
St. Paul, are denied by John J. Friedl,
"I know nothing about this," said Friedl. '
"I hadn't heard anything about it."
-
Fi-iedl says that there are no plans;
whatsoever for expansion of the chain at
this time.
"We're just trying to keep what we've'
got, and have our hands full doing that,"
he asserted.
Pending the outcome of the federal government's
suit against major distributors,;
It has been understood that there 'd be noi
further theatre acquisitions by distribu-'
tor-owned circuits.
Refutes Claim Benzes Have
Purchased Minny House
Minneapolis—Bill Elson. lessee of the
Seventh Street, denies a report published
in a trade paper that the Benzes, owners
of the Palace here and other theatre
properties, have purchased the house. Klson
asserts there hasn't been a bid from
the Benzes for the theatre. If any deal
is made for the house the owners, RKO,j
are required to give him a six-months]
vacating notice, he said.
Twedt Improving Lido
Manly. Ia.—H. S. "Doc" Twedt of the?
Lido here is installing new sound, enlarging
his projection booth and office,
and recarpeting his house.
A Nev/ Writer to Metro
Hollywood—Robert Phoeren has joined
Metro's scripting department.
40
BOXOFFICE :
17 . 19401 L,

I
ICansas
. . . Doug
Kansas City Barkers
Will Fele Officers
City—The No. 1 social event of
Variety Club's spring season will be held
vrarch 1 at the Hotel Muehlebach when
jfficers for 1940 are given an inaugural
linner dance and floor show. Little Jack
jittle. topnotch entertainer, will head the
mtertainment numbers. In addition there
be a dance band.
vill
In charge of the affair is Jerry Zigmond,
nanager of the Newman, as general chairnan
of the committee. On the committee
vith him are Don Woods of WB, Doug
)esch of Monogram, Barney Joffee of the
rower and Jim McConnell of KMBC.
Ticket sales are being handled by Sam
Vbend of Film Delivery, Charley Shafer
Pox Midwest, Don Woods, Doug Desch,
•f
nd Roy Miller, Universal.
7/elwoTth Chain Mgrs.
?e/7 on Showmanship
Minneapolis—Managers of the theatres
omprising Eddie Ruben's Welworth ciruit,
at the annual convention here, agreed
*iat, while present conditions for the show
usiness in this territory are "extremely
dverse," they could "lick the tough
mes" by working extra hard and demon-
:rating the utmost possible in showlanship.
At the one-day session, plans were
lapped out for an Eddie Ruben testilonial
drive. Ruben was host at a dinner
1 the Hotel Nicollet Minnesota Terrace.
Those present included Ted Bolnick,
aCrosse, Wis.: Joe Floyd, Sioux Falls,
. D.: Harold Bartlet, Langdon, N. D.;
rt Ableson, Devils Lake, N. D.; Eddie
wanson. Red Wing, Minn.; Carl Engstrom,
ew Ulm, Minn.; Emery Eckberg, South
t. Paul, Minn., and John Cliplef and
layton Severson, Montevideo, Minn.
^aquoketa Remodeling
ncreases Seating
Maquoketa, Ia.—The seating capacity of
e Pastime has been increased from 475
700 as a result of construction of a 30
40-foot addition to the building.
The stage also was enlarged and the
leatre refurnished, with offices and lounge
'Oms added in the basement. B. R.
;!ake, operator of the Pastime for 20
;ars, estimates cost of the remodeling pro-
.:t at $22,000.
'ooking Schools Oifered
y Four Minny Nabes
Minneapolis—Four local independent
'ighborhood houses—the Edina, Nile,
iimden and Falls—have been conductg
cooking schools this week and will
'Htinue them for three additional weeks,
.annette Campbell, graduate home ecoimist,
is in charge of the sessions. They
:irt at 1 p. m. and are held one day a
•ek.
K A Y C IE IE Intervener in Fight
QN THE ROW: Oscar Johnson, who
operates the theatres in Palls City,
Neb.: A. Anderson, Commercial Club, Kincaid,
Kas.; Curly Wilson, Beyer, Excelsior
Springs, Mo., whose business didn't
the subzero weather as much as some
feel
exhibitors' did; George Nescher, Rio,
Valley Palls, Kas.; O. L. Christian, Blue
Mound, Blue Mound, Kas.; Prank Weary
and Paul Taylor, Parris. Richmond, Mo.;
Mr. and Mrs. George Summers. Royal,
Unionville, Mo.; M. S. Heath, Plaza, Liberty,
Mo.; Charles Brooks, Ritz, Marshfield,
Mo.: John L. Whiting, Lido, Downs,
Kas.; Mrs. Glen Moskau, Regal, St. Joseph,
Mo.; Mr. and Mrs. Joe Ghosen, Sedalia.
Mo.; C. S. Laird, Madison, Madison,
Kas.; A. E. Jarboe, Ritz, Cameron,
Mo.; P. L. Lowe. Lowe, Sterling, Kas.
In case we didn't mention it before, a
revision at Columbia puts Zack Beiser behind
a desk, which i7isig?iias his post as
office manager: gives Gene Snitz city accounts
and Harold Hellman the country
booking, with each doing his ovm shorts
(film shorts). Zack is handling circuits
Pratt, h. o. rep, still is in town.
J. W. Davis, who operates the Davis at
Higginsville, Mo., is still severely ill in
Research Hospital here. While he is reported
improving, visitors still were barred
the first of the week.
The wedding of Marie Campbell, secretary
to Ben Marcus at Columbia, and
Kenneth McLatchey will take place
June 1.
Johnny Scott was in Wichita, Kas., last
week on business.
Oklahoma Theatre Supply (in private
life, L. J. Kimbriel) has sold new RCA
sound equipment to the Plaza (A. J. Sim-
7nons and Warren Weber), Howard, Kas.
Don Davis reports the sale of RCA sound
to Jim Thompson's Sequoah, Tahlequah,
Okla., and the Glen Thompson's Thompson,
Walters, Okla. Other RCA sales include
Robert Heald's Pix, Johnstown,
Colo.; J. E. Michael's Strand, Leon, la.
Hazeljoy Ralph of Commonwealth spent
another weekend in home town, Newton.
Kas.
Joe Rogatnick is the new district booker
at Universal. He will take over the job
that Virginia Gaylord, secretary to District
Manager Pete Dana, has been handfContinued
on page 43)
For Building Permit
Minneapolis—The fight to ccmi>el the
city council to issue a permit to Irving
Gillman. local independent, et al., to build
and operate a new neighborhood theatre
has taken a new turn with the intervention
by W. H. Donahue, non-theatreman,
asking the district court for an order requiring
the issuance of the license to
him at the same location.
Asserting that he also owns property in
the- vicinity of Gillman and the latter's
associates, Donahue claims that any license
granted should be to him because he filed
an application ahead of Gillman.
Hearing by the court to determine if
the intervener should be permitted was
scheduled for last Tuesday, but delayed
because counsel for Donahue was engaged
in other litigation.
After the court acts on the intervener
it is expected to set a date for trial of
the Gillman or Donahue mandamus action.
The city council has been ordered to
issue the permit or show valid reason why
it should not be granted.
It's estimated that the proposed construction
of from six to a dozen new
neighborhood theatres here hinges upon
the outcome of the present suit. The
council now is on record to refuse to
permit any additional theatre construction
here. Its position is that the city
already is considerably overseated.
18M0 See 'Fighting 69th'
First Three Days in K. C.
Kansas City—Over 18,000 saw "The
Fighting 69th" at the Orpheum here the
first three days of its engagement. This
is
a new house record for the year.
YOUR CUSTOMERS CAN^T BE
They Demand Quality
He Uses Cold Wave
Ft. Dodge, Ia.—During the recent cold
wave when business was at a low point,
Francis Damon closed temporarily while
he had the boxoffice of his Park here rebuilt
and a new porcelain front installed.
Cabot to "Susan and God"
Hollywood—Bruce Cabot has been added
to the cast of "Susan and God," his
first role for Metro since his role as the
heavy in "The Bad Man of Brimstone,"
FOOLED
Popcorn Products
—We Handle the Best on the Market at Reasonable Prices—
— SPECIAL DURING FEBRUARY —
1,000 Popcorn Boxes, $3.50 with any order of popcorn or seasoning.
— Also Sacks, Boxes, and Salt
RUBE MELCHER - - - GRand 0G72
POPPERS' SUPPLY CO. —1717 Wyandotte — Kansas City, Mo.
I'XOFnCE :: February 17, 1940

. . . and
. . . Mr.
. . wonder
. . RKO's
. .
. . Evert
. . he
. . Don
. . Paramount
. . Don
. . . Margaret
. . Marna
: February
^
HBOARD the Los Angeles Limited for
Hollywood with a fistfull of notes
gathered in DM—Here's hoping Boss Ben
Shlyen doesn't fire his DM correspondent
for gadding ... 'We were back in town
just long enough to see a screening of the
"Magic Bullet," a pic so good that the
operator got interested and forgot to
change reels . . . Next to Jackie Blank's
white boots which she bought in Kaycee,
the photographer's hard fall on the step
in the screening room was the sensation
of the evening tDear Stan Mayer: May
we conduct a one-woman campaign for a
ramp in the Little Fox instead of tl;pse
steps which have tripped almost everyone
on the Row at some time or other?)
Monroe Rubinger took Boxoffice & Co.
and Art Anderson out to the opening ot
Dave Fidler's Club 100 after the screening
. . . and then talked only of 606 and
his beautiful baby contests . . . We didn't
see Joes Smith and Ancher hut heard that
Ancher is furious with us because the
Boxoffice build-up given his approaching
nuptials with the Joisey gal gives his
stock with local dames an aioful let-doian
. . . Effie Judd brought that new Olds
back from Michigan just to bust it up
on a DM street car . . . Walt t Dimples)
Lohman dimpled a fender to match his
face ... He had a nice birthday party
(don't worry, Opie, we're not saying which
birthday) for Opie Judd and gave her a
nail-paring outfit.
W. J. Heineman. western division sales
manager from Universal's N. Y. office, was
in DM last week . if Jere
Spandau told him that May is the month
he's gonna make Esther queen of the
Spandau household? . Titianmustached
Carl Rigrod will be tickled
pink what an awful color combination)
I
when he hears that Boxoffice and what
he dubbed her "poison typewriter" are
on their way to the opposite coast from
him and hisi little old N. Y. where Iowa's
mush'n milk is called "Indian Pudding"
and where we discovered that the name
ID) IE S Wl 0> 111 M
of that French pastry we're so CRAZY
about is "Napoleon!"
Pete Dana, Harry Gottlieb, and Tri-
States' DD were at the station when loe
took off for Paramount's "Seventeen"
party with DM's ll-year-old, saucy Pann
Merryman, in tow (we missed Paramount's
Ray Copeland) ... We had a time recognizing
Ted Emerson, who met us in Omaha,
because the last time we saw him, he was
hiding behind the sideburns, etc., of "Golden
Spike" days . dropped us at the
hotel with instructions to be ready when
Don Shane of the Orpheum picked us up
. in the morning (we were) is
quiet, better -looking than Tyrone Power.
as absent-minded as Boxoffice. and likes
DM's Don Allen, too.
All Hades and a brass band broke out
when Omaha's 17-year-old showed up at
the station . Cummings had his
pitcher took with nine of Tarkington's
wide-eyed immortals who got off the Los
Angeles Limited just for that . . . Robert
Moriarty, Paramount publicity man, and
Don English, the photographer, worked
fast and yelled loud until everybody was
back on the train . forgot the lovely
Seventeens and spent all his time tapping
on the train window at the sweet
little girl who went to Hollywood for the
"Starmaker" premiere . presented
her with a fitted bag which Don
had shopped for at Sak's in NY before
he left . . . ain't that sweet?
IE ^
fight pictures would not be shown until
Monday . . . but lost his halo when the
film finally showed up at the Des Moines
Theatre.
"Ecstasy's" long run here caused plenty
of talk and "Gone With the 'Wind's" third
week is making some Filmrow prophets eat
their prophesies. Now "Birth of a Nation"
Several departments at
. . .
the R&T viewed
gets a second week over at the State
the Northwestern Bell's promotion film
Wednesday . Stansell, the Osceola,
la., girl who went to Hollywood on
a short-term contract and is now on
Broadway in Earl Carroll's "Vanities," is
quoted in the Register as saying: "I saw
enough to know I would not be so keen on
the movies as a career. Somehow, the
movies didn't appeal to me nearly as much
as the radio and the legitimate theatre"
Lindsay and her mother,
Mrs. Jane Kies, have been vacationing in
Dubuque and teUing old friends about
Margaret's latest film: Universal's "The
House of Seven Gables."
Harry Hiersteiner lost his overcoat at
that Filmrow meeting in the 2(ith Century-
Fox offices Saturday. Harry left his coat,
scarf and gloves in the front office while
the gang went into the back room. When
he returned, his apparel was gone and a
loorn overcoat was left in its place. Harry
reported his loss to the police and returned
to his family to ponder over the
all up to be an exhib at the Fireman's
Hall Theatre in New Hampton. His lease
begins May 15, and in the meantime he'll
spend a few months visiting his folks in
N. Y. He leaves March 1 . . . Gilly Wells
is taking over Harry's Iowa territory.
Everybody clamors for more news of the
popular Barney Brotman of the Paradise
in Moline, and while he's not in our
state, we hear sooooo many things about
him . . . he's head of the Rock Island
chapter of B'Nai B'Rith, active in the
quad-cities management, head of the
Charity Bazaar, and ping-pong player
Dayton Frederick, who has a circuit out
of Ollie, la., has a heck of a swell nickname.
It's "Dump"—and all because he's
built that way.
I
J. D. Peck who's been working on the
railroad! is in Chicago this week, and for
the benefit of folks back in Van Cleave,
la., it's a strictly business trip.
We hear rumblings and rumors of a
fight to the death coming up this summer
between various Iowa circuit operators
... we hope nobody gets hurt.
42
BOXOFFICE :
17, 1940

j
ling.
He was transferred here from Minj
I
It
1 Dominic
[
Camden,
I
\ sound
.
tention
'
February
I
Charley
I
, I
Assign
jj;( j
Hollywood
I 'The
. . . Row
. . . Bob
. . Howard
K A Y C IE
(Continued on page 41)
IE
neapolis.
must be very, very close to Spring.
Domiici of the Palace, domitown
subsequent, teas on Filmrow early this
week. He hasn't been around since last
fall, and his appearance is a guarantee
that the weather is mild. His son. Louis,
does the booking.
Karl Scherer, assistant treasurer of RCA,
is visiting the local offices of
the company.
Harry Johnson has installed new RCA
in the Prospect, Kaycee suburban.
Three or four weeks ago we called atin
this column to the fact that
Tum's "Pot O' Gold" giveaway over NBC
was substantially the same sort of lottery
as Bank Night, which the federal authorities
finally squelched. Fi-om Washington,
8. came news that the federal
communications commission had turned
over to the justice department complaints
and information regarding the program.
There hasn't been much said about the
program among theatremen, but just ask
them what it does to their business on
Tuesday nights.
Charley Craioford of 20th-Fox is on the
'Criterion pistol team which opened its
season February 15 . . . There's a possibility
that they may form a rifle team on
Filmrow.
Somebody's been kidding W. G. McKinney,
booker at Griffith-Dickinson Theatres.
They sent him a bottle of coke
wTapped in blue ribbons with a sprig of
forget-me-nots. Mac has gotten a lot of
kidding out of it. We don't know what
Istan Goldberg has gotten out of it—yet.
Decker, booker at 20th-Fox,
ihad a birthday 07i Valentine's day. He's
>at least 18. The boys sang him "Happy
\Birthday to You!"
Joe Redmond of the Esquire has been
;out with chicken pox. Maybe it is an
advance for "Grapes of Wrath" . . . Frank
Ritter of the Uptown was home sick this
week.
On the Row: Nick Kotsis, Holden,
Holden, Mo.: T. A. Spurgeon, Modern,
Stanberry. Mo.: John Courter. Courier,
Gallatin, Mo.
Advertising Accessories
Takes Over Premier
Kansas City—The Premier Advertising
iZo., operated here by Charles Burns and
Hay Crandall, has been purchased by Ad-
/ertising Accessories, Inc., National Screen
'iubsidiary, which last month took over Inlependent
Poster Exchange. Homer Black-
.vell is in charge here for Advertising Acessories.
Raoul Walsh
— Raoul Walsh will direct
Patent Leather Kid" for Warner.
lOXOFFICE : : February 17, 1940
W. A. Steifes May Remain
Hospitalized Six Weeks
Minneapolis — Latest advices from
Washington are that W. A. Steffes. Northwest
Allied president and national Allied
States' director, will be confined to the
Providence Hospital for six weeks more.
He is being treated for a heart attack suffered
during the Allied directors' meeting.
His indisposition is delaying a planned
Northwest Allied convention to take a
stand against percentage pictures and in
favor of various proposed trade practice
reforms.
Reports Business Outlook
Brighter in Dakotas
Minneapolis—Back from an inspection
trip through North and South Dakota,
John J. Friedl, general manager of the
Minnesota Amusement, reports improving
theatre business in the two states due
to the fact that roads have been kept
open.
Business generally throughout the circuit
is about on a par with that of last
year, he says.
In the two Dakotas there is a need for
more moisture to make for a better crop
outlet, according to Friedl.
Mrs. Mons Thompson Dies
Lincoln—Mrs. Mons Thompson, whose
husband owns and manages the St. Paul,
Neb., theatre, died this week in McDermott
Hospital. The Thompsons were well
known in show business circles.
IIL III N
C CI IIL W
.
DAT O'SHEA, former projectionist and
stagehand, has gone into the 16mm
field for himself. Reports business is good
was saddened this week with the
death of Bill Taylor, who had been 40
years a stage manager at the various local
theatres and was at the time of his death
occupied at the Stuart. He had a stroke
. . J. H. CooiJer, with Joe Philipson,
came in for further conferences on Lincoln
situation matters this week.
The body of Ed Holder, vet animal
trainer tvith all the major circuses in his
day, ivho died a couple of iveeks ago. was
sent to Chicago and buried in Shourmen's
League cemetery, with Mike Barnes, of
Barnes & Carruthers booking office, paying
the bill . . . Joe Reichman. the orchestra
leader, said Paramount has him
lined up for a couple of musical shorts
when the band laiids in Hollywood May 1
Livingston is suffering, but more
becaiLse of the poor business than the flu
which hangs to him . Federer
is elated because of the very good sale of
Eva LeGallienne tickets.
Norvell, the astrologer, slated for the
Lincoln a week, gave in to flu and had to
be taken to a local hospital on the day he
was to open, forcing cancellation of the
entire week . . . About half of Lincoln,
if queries mean anything, will be going to
Omaha for the Sonja Henie and her 6-
day ice show appearance, starting February
The Jack Randall -Louise
22 . . . (Continued on page 18-Ci
TRADE DIRECTORY
A HANDY GUIDE FOR THE EXHIBITOR—
EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
Peterson "Freezem" Mfg. & Sales Co.
Blowers, washers, spray nozzels, office and
home units.
Special Offer—Priced to Sell.
Why Pay More?
G. A. Peterson
Victor 4075
316 Southwest Blvd.
Kansas City, Mo.
A. A. Electric Machinery Co.
Ernest Amoneno, Mgr.
1117 Cherry St. Phone: Victor 8796
Holmes Projecfor Theatre Supply
Projectors and Sound for the Largest and Smallest
Theatre— Also Portable 16 mm and 35 mm
1K20 Wyandotte St. Kimsaa City, Mo. n.\. UTi
Oklahoma Theatre Supply Co.
Dis,tributors for
RCA, Brenkert, U. S. Air, Heywood-Wakefield
126 West 18th St. 708 West Grand Ave.
GR. 2864 Oklahoma City.
Kansas City, Mo. Okla.
Stebbins Theatre Equipment Co.
1804 Wyandotte St.
C. H. Badger, Mgr. Phone: GRand 0134
Southwest Theatre Equipment Co.,
Wichita, Kas.
KANSAS CITY TERRITORY
Indp't
C. D. Peck, Mgr. Phone 2-2153
EXHIBITOR ASSOCIATIONS
Independent Theatre Owners Association
1214 Brush Creek Road — VAlentine 2770
E. E. Webber jr., Pres. John Wolfberg, Sec.
K. M. T. A.
221 W. 18th St. — Harrison 4825
Frank Cassil, Pres. Fred Meyn, Sec.-Treas.
AIR CONDITIONING
National Air Conditioning and
Engineering Corp.
VI. 3535
213 West 19th St.—Kansas City, Mo.
Manufacturing—Engineering—Installation
SOUND SERVICE
K. C. SOUND SERVICE
Syncrofilm Sound Equipment and Service
1818 Wyandotte St
W. P. Humston HA 4783
SCREEN PUBUCITY
Alexander Film Company
Motion Picture Advertising
E. L. Harris, Dist. Mgr., Mo., Kan., Neb., lowo
239 East 72nd Terrace
Phone: Hlland 2694

. . . Moe
. . . "Hy"
. . Mickey
. .
. .
. . . Work
. . . Good
. . Carl
WIIIWWIEAPOILIK
QILBERT NATHANSON, Republic head,
back from a Chicago sales conference
Levy, 20th-Pox district manager,
set "Grapes of Wrath" into Omaha and
Des Moines, March 1, on a pre-release as
a single bill in double feature houses. It
comes into the State here March 8. Screening
for critics is scheduled this week .
Fred Larkin, manager of the Paramount,
St. Cloud, was so enthusiastic over "Gulliver's
Travels," he sent a letter to John
J. Friedl, Minnesota Amusement Co. general
manager, expressing his praise, and
the latter forwarded it to the Paramount
exchange.
Tommy Charack off in his flashy auto
to his new post as Warner Los Angeles
city salesman. Good luck, old boy W.
H. Workman, M-G-M branch
. . .
manager,
may spend his winter vacation in Puerto
Rico instead of Florida, his usual haven
Chapman, Columbia branch
manager, visited northern Minnesota accounts
. . . Irving Gillman to close his
Crystal, Gateway grind house, for improvements
Daughter of Sol Torador,
. . . local independent exhibitor, off to California
and expects to receive a screen test.
. . . Morrie Abrams. M-G-M
Irving Marks, Columbia salesman, a
daddy for the second time. It's a girl
again—this time a nine-pounder. Going
after the Eddie Cantor record, Irving?
Eh, what?
in Sioux Falls, S. D., to work
exploiteer,
on "Gone With the Wind." His daughter,
Lois Goldberg, here from Seattle for a
visit . . . Joe Rognatnick, Universal home
office student booker, after four months
here, off for Kansas City to assume a similar
post.
.
Pat Halloran, Universal salesman, hanging
around Minneapolis—for a very good
reason which may be public information
by the time this appears in print. 'Tis said
he was awaiting an impending visit of the
stork to his menage . . United Ai'tists
here hitting fast pace in the Jack Goldhar
drive . . . Lyceum, legitimate roadshow
house, running Swedish dialogue
films on weekends. Last Saturday and
Sunday, it had a dual bill.
. . .
"Nickey" Goldhammer, RKO district
manager, reports March of Time's "Republic
Monogram
of Finland" release going great guns in the Charlie Weiner
testimonial drive. The quota of city dates
already has been practically achieved, he
says. Charlie spent much of this week in
northern Minnesota plugging away
Francis
.
Carlson and Rosalie Peck added
to the National Screen office staff.
RKO in first place in the Film Bowling
League for the fourth successive week
since its organization . Coen,
M-G-M salesman, vacationing in Kansas
City and other points south . . . Earl Perkins
still in the lead in the Grad Sears
drive. The office leads in its district . . .
"Nickey" Goldhammer, RKO district manager,
back from a visit to his Omaha and
Des Moines offices . . . Rud Lohrenz, Warner
district
manager, a weekend visitor.
Sid7iey Basin has acquired the De Luxe,
St. Paul, from George Ostrand . . . An
ear ailment had C. K. Olson, Warner
branch manager, confined to his home for
several days . . . Bill Volk, independent
circuit operator, to join his brother and
partner, Sidney, in Florida . . . Many of
the film crowd attended one of the three
Maurice Evans' performances of "Hamlet"
at the Lyceum. The show drew capacity
business.
Out-of-town exhibitors visiting Filmrow
Everett Seibel, Harry Hirsch, Harry
included: Jack Heywood, New Richmond,
Katz, W. A. Steffes and Bill Sears were
Wis.; Jack De Marce, Benson, Minn.;
among the theatre bunch that Cedric
"Doc" Reynolds, Princeton, Minn.; Lyle
Adams, Star-Journal columnist, suggested
Webster, Chippewa Falls and Rice Lake,
to help put over the planned municipal
Wis.; Henry Anderson, Arcadia, Wis.; Joe
Redinond, Waconia, Minn.; Porter Ashley,
summer carnival.
wires" . Merle . .
He called
Potter, Times-Tribune
them "live
Lakefield. Minn.; Al Inman, Fairfax,
film critic, devoted his entire column last
Minn.; Don Anderson, Pine Island, Minn.,
Monday to his trip to Michigan to attend
and Don Buckley, Redwood Falls, Minn.
the "Young Tom Edison" premiere.
W. H. Workman, M-G-M branch manager,
confined to his home by illness . . .
Si7n E. Heller has added the Star, Bovey,
Minn., and Calumet, Calumet, Minn., to
his chain of theatres, increasing it to six,
including one each at Coleraine and Nashloauk
and two at Grand Rapids, Minn.
. . . Reports are that
will start late this month
on the new 1,000-seater which Abe
Engler will build at Hopkins. Minneapolis
suburb
Paramount now is accepting applications
from Turin City independent exhibitors for
"Gulliver's Travels" on a straight rental
basis. It had been demanding percentage
in the face of the independents' stand
against such terms . . . Merle Potter,
Times-Tribune film editor, is in Hollyivood
in his annual search for material for his
gossip and feature columns.
To Remodel in Spring
Cherokee, Ia.—A $12,000 remodeling program
on the American here is planned
by Dale R. Goldie in the spring. Front
of the house will be rebuilt and the lobby
enlarged. He will also redecorate the interior
and install a new sound system.
Fire at Mound City, Kas.
Mound City, Kas.—Fire did $3,000 damage
to the Aladdin here February 6. The
house was insured.
Palmquist Buys Theatre
RusHFORD, Minn.—Roy Palmquist, former
Universal film salesman, will take over
the Royal here from O. K. Quarve in
February.
Gets "Torpedoed" SR Rights
Minneapolis—^Irving Gillman, Esquire
owner, has acquired state rights to "Torpedoed."
Buy Story for Karloif
Hollywood—Monogram has purchased
"Lighthouse," a story by John Reinhardt,
as a vehicle for Boris Karloff.
O Ml A H A
JJEWS FLASH: Joe Jacobs' wedding will
be some time during the next two
weeks, before March 1. Jacobs says
thanks to all his friends for the nice
presents and dandy stag party. A good
time was had by all! ... Joe Rosenberg,
veteran film peddler for various Omaha
exchanges in the past, has gone to California.
Bill Foley, formerly salesman for RKO
and Columbia, has moved to MilvMUkee
ivhere he will peddle RKO product ...
Al Hill, formerly with RKO and Universal,
has gone to Sioux Falls, S. D., where he
will work in the RKO office under Sherm
Fitch, formerly in the Omaha exchange
luck to Rosenberg, Foley and
Hill!
Lou Ireland, Logan, la., was on Mlmrow
for the first time in some weeks . . .
Other visitors included Mr. and Mrs. Fred
Schuler, Humboldt, Neb., and Mr. and
Mrs. J. V. Frank, Harvard, Neb. Mrs.
Frank collects elephants, we are told, and
now has over 3,000 of them, both large
and small. Alice Neal, Warner booker, also
an elephant collector.
is
Frank Van Husan is reseating the Joyo
at Havelock, Neb., for C. C. Fraser . . .
Elmer Sedin, RKO home office representative
(auditor to you), is here . . . Keith
Wilson, World-Herald critic, went to Port
Huron, Mich., for a premiere, making No.
11 for Keith. Jake Rachman filled in
luhile Wilson was gone.
:
A flock of birthdays and we put all the
Congrats in one big bouquet for the following:
BiU Wink, Warner; Bill Miskell,
Orpheum manager; Jess Brown, Warner;
Joe Rosenberg, now on his way west;
Ruby Anderson, Columbia; Olin Addison,
And wedding anniversaries
Ridgeway, la. . . .
as follows: Bill Ruthhart, Metro
booker, first: Jack Kolbo, Omaha assistant
manager, second anniversary.
A special mention for George McCool,
United Artists booker, who shared a birthday
with Lincoln . . . Joe Smith, RKO
salesman, in the hospital with flu . . .
Lincoln and McCool also shared their
birthday with Charlie Lorem, Metro shipper
and film exchange employes union
prexy.
Earl Kerr, Iowa circuit owner, is going
in with L. O. "Bob" Ringler on the Lake
.
tion Autry," says Carl . . .
Theatre at Storm Lake, la. It's a second-run
house Reese, Republic
boss, wants a for Republic in this
plug
column. "Say anything, just so you men-
Toby Stewart,
Mayfair, Shenandoah, la., in town.
. . . Herbert
. . . Sonja
Bad weather breaks have been playing
ned with Nebraska and western Iowa exhibitors,
they report. There's a s7iowstorm
every Saturday night and the roads are
bad the rest of the week
Hoover drew 4,000 persons here and didn't
help the local exhibitors any
Henie revue set for week starting February
22 to give the exhibitors more worries.
Joe Jacobs, Columbia boss, says Omaha's
chances in the Montague drive just
starting look very good. Jacobs gave hlm-
( Continued on next page)
44 BOXOFFICE : : February 17, 1940

'
Kansas
'
. . Frank
• Continued
. .
I
Statistician's Forecast
Cheering to Northwest
Minneapolis — Theatre interests are
B: pleased at the forecast of H. O. Timberff,
lake, Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank
k: statistician, of Northwest business and agt:
ricultural gains for the ensuing year. All
:i lines of industry, including showhouses,
will benefit, Timberlake believes.
Timberlake points out a number of recent
developments which will stimulate
'f
'•*
Northwest business volume. In a territory
that is predominantly agricultural, there's
';:
an increasing demand for most of its farm
products in consequence of improved consumers'
incomes, higher wool prices be-
" cause of increased costs of importing sup-
!'
plies due to the war, foreign demand for
portions of the imp>ending surplus of pork
and pork products, larger livestock in-
'^
ventories than in other recent years, ample
feed supplies for conditioning its current
' livestock supplies and larger carloadings,
i: particularly grain and livestock, in the
^ first quarter.
^ It is predicted that the carloadings
"
increase will show a 28 per cent gain over
'
those of a year ago. No other section of
the country will show such an increase,
rerlake asserts.
Named Alexander Agent
City—R. H. "Olie" Oleson, fornerly
of the Commonwealth circuit,
Washington, Mo., has been appointed
•epresentative for Alexander Film Co. by
2. L. Harris, distiict manager. Oleson will
over eastern Missouri.
LINCOLN
(Continued from page 18-Ai
•Stanley marriage in Hollywood makes a
-lOuella Parsons out of Alvin Hendricks,
vho met 'em in Omaha one day last sumner
when their divorce was hardly cold,
md said they were going to re-hitch.
OMAHA
from preceding pagei
a well-earned pat on the back by remarking
self
that the Omaha exchange has
signed more contracts to date during the
current season than any year previous.
"Now just mention that 'His Girl Friday'
is doing a great business in the Omaha
territory and my week will be complete,"
says Jacobs.
Dick Kehrberg, Sheldon, la., was on
Filmrow and looking very prosperous .
Other visitors included Bob Huffman and
Hoivard Federer, both of Lincoln; Bowman
twins from McClelland, la.; Mort
Troxell, from DeWitt, Wilber and poirits
west . . . Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Goodrich,
Stromsberg, Neb.
When the Paramount shutters after
"GWTW" closes, Don Allen and Jack
Kolbo will move back to the Omaha and
Don Shane to the Orpheum . . . There's
talk of making Golden Spike Days an
annual affair after the success last spring
on the "Union Pacific" premiere. Evert
Cummings, Tri-States chief here, is on the
special citizens' committee doing the deciding.
Selected as Best Cartoon
Hollywood—At a meeting of the California
State Congress of Parent-Teacher
Associations. Metro's "Peace on Earth"
was selected as the outstanding short
subject of the year. The Congress represents
280,000 California members.
Pace Operating Capitol
Hartley, Ia.—Harry Pace of Audubon,
la., has taken possession of the Capitol
here. C. E. Werden operated the theatre
for the past nine months.
Withers Back From Chi
Meet With Enthusiasm
Kansas City—Robert F. Withers, Republic
branch manager, who returned this
week from his company's midwest division
meeting in Chicago, is very enthusiastic
about immediate releases. The
lineup for the next three months includes
"Dark Command," story of Quantrell;
"In Old Missouri," "Forgotten
Girls," "Pioneers of the West." "Women
in War." "Rancho Grande," "Doctors
Don't Tell," "Man From Rio." "Lady From
New Orleans," "Grandpa Goes to Town,"
"Gangs of Chicago" and "Ghost Town
Raiders."
'Dark Command' Premiere
Considered lor Kaycee
Atlanta—During Republic's recent district
sales meeting here Kansas City was
considered as the probable site for the
world premiere of "The Dark Command,"
the company's high budget picture. John
Wayne and Claire Trevor are starred in
the production, which was directed by
Raoul Walsh. Adaptation was from R.
V. Burnett's popular novel.
Stage Artist to Metro
New York — George Lessey. a member
of the cast of "The Man Who Came to
Dinner," has signed a contract with Metro
and will leave for the coast in about two
weeks. He has appeared in numerous
Broadway productions.
New Pact to
Garfield
Hollywood—John Garfield has been
given a new contract by Warner.
Vincent DiFiore now is living alone and
iking it. The rattle of the poker chips
ar into the night disturbed his slumber
ohere he used to live . . . Wally Johnson's
)light is horrible: His theatre is snowed
n and his skating pond snowed under
. . Gag, going the rounds, probably startd
by Russ Egner, is one guy's asking
mother if he got "that" straightened out,
)hen answered by a "what?" gets:
HuncJiback of Notre Dame" for the kicker
Idle thought: Why don't Omaha
llmrow lads buy football tickets noio intead
of September 1?
Mrs. George O. Monroe, who is as much
fixture on Theatrerow as the theatres.
las been absent lately, staying at the
edside of her husband . Kimiall,
who owns the Varsity, is promising
pme newsy ha'ppenings about it soon . . .
lob Huffman and his wife celebrated
leir lOth wedding anniversary last week.
Last Tuesday night, on KFOR, Barney
Hdfield, movie gabber, did his 600th
roadcast for the same sponsor, the Lin-
3ln Theatres Corp.
3XOFFICE
: : February 17, 1940
HOTEL MARK TWAIN
Travelers acclaim the fine
food in
the two modern restaurants - the
Steamboat Cabin Coffee Shop and
the Old Enslish Tap Room -they
praise the friendly atmosphere and
fine service - and they never forget
the modern rooms and the IDEAL
LOCATION of the Mark Twain.
300 ROOMS
O. E. TRONNES, MGft
ST. LOUIS
liiisiiiiisiiiiiiaiBa

ARE YOU READY?
AAJlOU WADBW-
EXCLUSIVELY
DEVOTED TO
THEATRE
TELEVISION
%i»i^
DONT BE CAUGHT UNPREPARED (AS SO MANY WERE CAUGHT BY SOUND) WHEN COMPLETELY
NEW APPARATUS comes into YOUR theatre. Do you understand synchronizing impulse circuits?—cathode
ray tubes?—mechanical scanning?— projecting THIRTY frames a second from standard film running
at standard speed?—complete theatre television installations? KNOW what it is all about. Twenty thousand
word book of television facts, written in YOUR language by Aaron Nadell, author of "Projecting Sound
Pictures," etc., etc., explains theatre television—what the equipment is-—how it works—what makes it work.
Sixty-Nine Pages, Illustrated and Indexed
Only $1.00. Order Your Copy Today!
Send Check or Money Order to
ASSOCIATED PUBLICATIONS, 4804 East Ninth Street, Kansas City, Missouri
BOXOFFICE : : February 17, 194'

, tion
j
Wood
I
"I
!
"I
Pot 0' Gold Counter
Plan Is Abandoned
Cleveland—The Pot O' Gold theatre
plan has been a boxoffice flop, Clevelanfi
exhibitors told P. J. Wood, secretary of
jthe Independent Theatre Owners of Ohio,
jat a general meeting of the Cleveland Mo-
Picture Exhibitors Ass'n held Tuesday.
February 13.
Wood attended the meeting of Cleveland
exhibitors to find out what results have
been obtained after a four weeks trial at
54 theatres in the Cleveland area, and to
enlist the Cleveland theatres in a state
jorganization campaign to buck the Pot O'
iGold radio program.
However, instead of lining up the Cleveland
theatres in his state campaign, after
Ihearing how the plan failed to elicit anyjthing
but boos. Wood plans to call off the
'whole thing and to refund to the approxi-
]mately 100 theatre owners the assessments
Ithey have paid into the state organization.
jyear.
announced February 28-29 as the
(iates for the annual ITO convention to be
beld this year at the Neil House, and in
liew of the important issues facing the
aidustry. asked for a large turnout from
Cleveland.
Ray Branch Cautions
Dn Pot O' Gold
Detroit—Comment on the Pot O' Gold
jrograms that have aroused national in-
.erest in the industry was guarded in a
tatement to Boxoffice this week by Ray
branch of Hastings, president of Allied
Theatres of Michigan. Said Branch:
am somewhat afraid that if you start
|)n activity to combat it, you wall increase
)Ublicity for it, and it will spread. Radio
pperators will be able to say that it must
lie popular, because it is arousing theatre
jipposition.
don't think that the idea of tying up
m award with the theatre ticket, as in
bhio, in defense, is good, because there is
possibility that this is a lottery.
"I think the best course is to ignore it.
j
;ombating it is just giving the idea a
(reat buildup, and the first thing, radio
•ill start attacking the theatre.
"I don't know that you can call the
rogram a lottery. The language of the
ct is very broad, and they have some de-
;nse there.
A Trip Convinced
The Solons
Detroit—Louis B. Mayer in commenting
on the Neely bill, recalled the visit
to the M-G-M lot last year of several
congressmen. He intimated that had
more congressmen and senators found
the lime to visit the Hollywood film
plants that the Neely bill would not be
so dangerously near passage.
"These lawmakers told me," he said,
"that they were flabbergasted to learn
of the vast industry behind the exhibition
of motion pictures. They told me
that they had not read the Neely bill
but would do so immediately. They did
read it later, and after they had. I received
letters from them telling me
that since reading the bill they were
opposed to it."
there is nothing to stop listeners from
tuning in to an out-state station."
Another argument in favor of discontinuing
any further effort to promote a thea-
Co-op's Suggested Amendments
On Neely Bill Held Good
tre Pot O' Gold was the statement of a
Irumor that the radio show will be off the Detroit—Commenting on proposals for
tair within a few weeks.
amendment to the Neely bill, offered by
Cooperative Theatres of Michigan, Ray
The state of the proposed three per cent
Branch of Hastings, president of Allied
tax on film rentals was another subject of
Theatres, said:
organization discussion. Secretary Wood
"I am naturally in favor of local arbitration,
W'hich Michigan Allied itself ap-
reported that the taxpayers suit filed in
Columbus to collect this tax. retroactive to
proved in October at Kalamazoo.
'January 1935. will come up for hearing before
the court of appeals in April of this
"I would not definitely say it should be
included in the Neely bill. We are trying
to work toward the same end along other
lines."
Referring to other amendments proposed
by Coop. Branch said. "Most companies
are not forcing shorts, newsreels,
and reissues now anyway. You don't have
score charges from most or all companies
now.
"The provision to identify pictures always
has been desirable.
"Warner and M-G-M. at least, now have
voluntarily adopted a 10 to 20 per cent
cancellation clause, based upon average
film rental paid. Increasing the percentage
is apt to increase it to the point where
it is uni'easonable. I think the clause
we now have, which was voluntarily submitted
by various distributors, is practical.
"I can't speak on forced selective playing
time, because I'm not personally a
victim of it."
Jaffurs Brothers Acquire
The Star in Glassport
Pittsburgh—James Jaffurs and his
brother John have acquired the Star.
Glassport. from Mrs. Stella Gorris, widow
of the veteran exhibitor, Peter Gorris. A
long-term lease was taken from Mrs. Gorris
who had operated the house since the
death of her husband. James Jaffrus is
identified in exhibition at Wilmerding
where he operates the Wilmer.
! "I am speaking personally, for not all
lur members are in agreement with me on
'lis. Although I understand that, under
Cyril Hume Reticketed
state law. Michigan stations could be Hollywood—Cyril Hume. Metro scripter.
has been given a new^ writing opped from picking up the programs.
ticket.
Capitalization Boost
Opens Co-op Roster
Detroit—Addition of new members to
Cooperative Theatres of Michigan has been
made possible by an increase in capitalization.
Fred DeLodder, president, told
Boxoffice. Capitalization of the company,
which is a Michigan corporation, has been
increased from $50,000 to S60,000.
"We had a number of applications for
membership," DeLodder said, "but w^e were
unable to take in any more members, because
we had no unissued stock. So we
increased the capitalization in order to be
able to act on new applications. The minimum
amount of stock which one member
must have is one share, at $100."
Cooperative now centers the booking activities
of a number of the principal independent
circuits, as well as independent
single theatre owners and upstate operators,
with around 100 member houses.
Report Horwitz Resigns
As Ohio ITO Officer
Cleveland—It is reliably reported along
Filmrow that M. B. Hoi-witz. for 25 years
an active leader in all exhibitor organization
affairs, has resigned as treasurer and
member of the board of the Independent
Theatre Owners of Ohio. He has held this
elective post since 1934.
While Horwitz would neither affirm nor
deny the report, it is understood that he
differed with other board members on organization
matters.
Bert Stearn Testimonial
Drive Is Gratiiying
Cleveland—A. M. Goodman. United
Artists branch manager, says that the results,
to date, of the Bert Steam testimonial
drive are most complimentary to
the UA district manager, and expects the
Cleveland office to be considerably ahead
of its quota when the drive ends today.
Exhibitors in this territory. Goodman
states, have cooperated with new contracts
and dates during the drive period and it is
understood that Steam's other offices are
making equally complimentary showings.
Columbia Drive Starts
Cleveland—The Columbia sales and
billing drive, dedicated to honor Abe Montague's
15 years with the company, got under
way on February 17 and will continue
until May 10. Columbia Branch Manager
Lester Zucker and his sales force are out
to establish a record.
Ahead in Scottsville
Scottsville. Ky.—C. M. Caldwell expects
to have his new theatre here ready
for opening by April 1. The house, being
constructed on the site of his Lyric Theatre
which was destroyed by fire the latter
part of December, will be larger than its
predecessor.
OXOFHCE : :
H,?'
February 17. 1940 ME
47

j
Editorial Hils Neely
Bill as "Dangerous"
Pittsburgh— "Study reveals that the
Neely bill is but one more wholly impractical
and highly dangerous attempt
to extend the unnecessary government
regulation to business," states the Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette, a Paul Block newspaper.
It is, the newspaper charges, "fundamentally
unsound, and. if passed, it will
have the most serious effect on the quality,
the quantity and the price of motion picture
entertainment."
Describing block booking as "a method
of offering films to exhibitors at wholesale
prices," the editorial declares that if
"distributors are forced to sell, and the
exhibitors to buy only one picture at a
time, the cost of renting films will inevitably
rise and just as inevitably be passed
on to the patron."
The argument that block booking forces
exhibitors "to take all or none of a company's
productions, whether good or bad,"
Is attacked as a "convenient excuse" frequently
used by exhibitors to sidestep criticism
by patrons of particular pictures. In
amplifying its point, the editorial quotes
statistics on the wide variance in the number
of bookings by exhibitors of certain
pictures.
"... the most popular pictures of each
of six major producing companies were
rented a total of more than 66,000 times
in a recent season, while the least popular
pictures of the same companies were leased
only 18,000 times in the same season. In
short, the exhibitor does not have to take
a bad picture to get a good one," the editorial
emphasizes.
Also viewed as "undesirable" is the blind
buying portion of the Neely bill which
would "force the producer to tie up the
whole cost of the picture" because "no
accurate synopsis would be possible until
the film was actually completed."
"None but the very largest producing
companies would be able to make this huge
cash investment," the editorial observes.
"Even they would be forced to produce
fewer pictures each year. The smaller companies,
which are now able to turn over
their capital rapidly enough to keep several
pictures going at various stages of production,
would be driven out of business
and the strictest sort of monopoly would
result."
Award Ascap Judgment
On Iniringement Charge
Detroit—Judgment was rendered by District
Judge Edward J. Moibet in federal
court here against Clifford White, owner
of the Beechwood Theatre and the Pinegrove
Cafe, for copyright infringement, in
favor of Ascap, according to S. S. Grosner,
attorney for Ascap.
Grosner said that the violation was
based upon an alleged rendition of "Shoeshine
Boy." without license from Ascap,
who acted in their usual capacity as copyright
holders. Judgment was for $250,
costs, and attorney's fees.
Skirball Host at Weslin
Opening in Massillon
Massillon, Ohio—The formal opening
last Thursday of the 'Weslin Theatre, built
by W. N. Skirball and associates, was a gala
event. Alden O. Brinham is manager.
Many journeyed down from Cleveland
for the event including "Duke" Clark.
Paramount branch manager; Lester Zucker,
Columbia branch manager; L. H. Walters,
manager of the National Theatre
Supply Co.; Eddie Berman, 20th Century-
Fox; "Buck" Stoner, M-G-M; George
Rosenbaum, Universal; Jim Mullins, RCA;
Howard Feigley, Toledo; Harry Reinhart,
Canton; Drew Eberson, son of Architect
George Eberson who prepared the plans,
and Guy Johnson, Steubenville.
After an inspection of the house, the
guests were wined and dined by Skirball.
Louis-Godoy Fight Pictures
Busy in Pittsburgh Area
Pittsburgh—Fifteen prints of the Louis-
Godoy fight are in service here. Irving
Dietz and George Josack, distributors of
fight films in this territory, who have a
line of accessories for the film, say upwards
of 20 prints will be necessary. The
picture opened last Sunday at the downtown
Ritz.
Rivoh, Ebensburg, Pa.,
Is Damaged by a Fire
Ebensburg, Pa.—The Rivoli, one of the
nine R. Allison houses, and the municipal
fire hall were damaged by fire which
caused a $50,000 loss. The theatre was
built in 1915 by the late D. E. Park, Pittsburgh
steel mogul.
Candy Girl Sculptress—
Shelagh O'Grady, 19-year-old candy
girl of the Ramona in Detroit, is holding
two of her clay creations, representing
Bette Davis and Errol Flynn
as they appeared in 'The Private Lives
of Elizabeth and Essex." The models
were on display in the lobby of the
theatre during the run of the film.
Cleveland MPEA to
Fight Curfew Law
Cleveland—The Cleveland M. P. Ex
hibitors Ass'n will fight the curfew or
dinance introduced before the city counc:
by Councilman R. J. Taylor, chairman o
the council's safety committee, at the re
quest of B. Chamberlin, assistant safet:
director, and Capt. Arthur Roth, head o
the police department juvenile bureau.
The ordinance makes it illegal for:
1. Unaccompanied children under 10 t.
enter theatres after 7 p. m.
2. Unaccompanied children under 17 t
enter theatres after 10:30 p. m.
3. Unaccompanied males under 21 ani
females under 19 to be in amusemen
places between 2 a. m. and 6 a. m.
4. All unaccompanied children under 1
to be at amusement places between 8 a. m
and 1:00 p. m. unless it is vacation tim:
or a holiday.
The ordinance also makes it unlawfu
for adults to purchase admissions fo:,
minors in violation of its provisions.
Violation is considered a misdemeano:
punishable by a $100 minimum fine or 3t
days in jail or both.
Wisper i Wetsman Will
;
Build Suburban Deluxer
\
Detroit—Wisper & Wetsman are bidding
for the title of Detroit's fastest grow-;
ing circuit, with disclosure of plans fo:
still another new house. This will be i,
2,500-seater, to be erected at the Sever;
Mile and Meyers roads, in the northwes;
section.
;
Charles N. Agree is architect for th(;
structure, and work is slated to start a:
once. The new house will be named th(
Royal.
Giesseman and Harris Plan
Theatre at Keege Harbor
Detroit— Still another new house i
planned for the remoter suburbs—thlr
time at Keege Harbor, 25 miles north, ar
important resort area, it was disclosw
this week. House will be 600 to 800 seats
and is slated to open about May, witl
construction already under way.
The owners of the new house are Clif
Giesseman, who used to be manager of thi
Michigan, UDT's ace house, and is nov
with Altec Service, and Bud Harris, wh(,
has been chief projectionist of UDT for
many years.
|
New Toledo Building Will
Include IMO-Seat House
Toledo, Ohio—A new office building in
eluding a theatre, will be built in the downtown
section.
I
Plans for the structure, prepared b:
Jokel Coy Thai, are of the stadium styli|
and will provide approximately 1,000 seats'
Lease for the house has not been consum-j
mated. ! i
j
48
BOXOFFICE : : February 17, 194(ll

: tetroit;
iayer Philosophizes
U Detroit Fete
Detroit—-A declaration that the motion
licture industry was one of the most
Ufficult for the banking fraternity to
perate, and a reaffirmation of faith in
he staff of M-G-M as the industry's toplOtchers,
was voiced by Louis B. Mayer
[n the occasion of a luncheon tendered
lim and many of this city's leading inustrialists
at the Book Cadillac Hotel here
he day preceding the premiere of "Yoimg
'cm Edison" at Port Huron.
Beside the Metro production chief's adress.
a few words of tribute to the Metroes
was paid by Edsel Ford, and a word
f greeting to the assembled exhibitors
•as voiced by the general sales manager,
7Uliam P. Rodgers.
At the speakers' table were Father Flangan
of Boys Town; Harry Kelly, secreiry
of state; John Smith, president of the
Woit city council; K. T. Keller, president
f the Chrysler Motor Co.; Lawrence
isher, vice-president of General Motors;
ouis Weil, publisher of the Port Huron
imes-Herald; B. F. Morris and Arthur
'alsh, vice-president. Thomas A. Edison,
orp.; Rev. Harold Markey, who gave the
vocation; Alfred O. Tate, former secreiry
to Edison; Charles Sorensen and Fred
lack. Ford Motor Co.; Ed Beatty and
dmund Shields, Butterfield Theatres; E.
:. Saunders, Howard Dietz, 'William R.
erguson, John W. Considine jr., and
rank Downey of M-G-M. Jack Flynn,
etro's district manager, was toastmaster.
Among those attending the luncheon
tere:
Ray Branch, Allied Theatres; Al and
im Ackerman; 'W. H. Anderson; Emil
lack. Cooperative; Hyman Bloom, United
G. W. Berger, Butterfield; Anew
Bzovi; James Busic, United Detroit;
;im Barrett, Cooperative; Harold Brown,
lited Detroit; Howard Beck, Cooperative;
Dbert Bernstein, M-G-M; Herb Brown;
L. Becker, W. G. Bishop, Floyd W.
irysler. Harold Sandelman, Warren
.•;e, John Dembeck, John Morgan, Har-
'i Marshall. Louis Orlove, J. E. Watson,
),)ward Strickling, Barrett Kiesling, all of
;-G-M; Jack Hurford, Fox Theatre; Ben
Dhn. Senate Theatre; Claude A. Dock,
:)x Theatre; Don Dunn. Earl Hudson,
lark Field. Gil Green, L. H. Gardner, Don
.ihn, Fi-ank Perry, Prank Upton, N. Dow
'lompson, Robert Salter, R. H. Shepherd,
(issins Smith, Asher Shaw, United Detroit
'.leatres; Jeff Williams, East Detroit;
];nry Zapp. A. L. Dowzer, Frank Howard,
1 of Cooperative Theatres; Robert Misch,
i, W. Koskie, Butterfield Theatres; Al
liittenberg, Al Ruppert; Art Robinson,
lidison; R. G. Peltier, Mount Clemens;
(larles Perry, Adams; E. J. Purcell, Dave
Jwman, Prank Orsatti, operators' union:
'm Moule, Jam Handy; Harry Lush, I.
Milton and Julius London; Dan Lewis
£d Frank Wetsman, Wisper and Wetsman
•".leatres; Charles Snyder, police film cen-
B'; Alex Slendak; Walter R. Stebbins,
l5d Sturgess; Alex Schreiber; Walter
Safer, Wayne; Jack Saxe, Monogram;
Jmes Stoia; John Howard, Paramount;
Mliam Kimmel; Ed Kirchner, Family;
Jieph KoUar, police censor; Harry Holt
h: Tom Ealand, and various civic and
i 'ustrial representatives.
BXOFTICE :: February 17, 1940
When "Edison" Returned to Port Huron—
Above, a scene of the crowd at the Port Huron, Mich., station to greet
the ancient train as it pulled in from Detroit with stage aiid civic dignitaries
for the premiere of "Young Tom Edison." Below. Edsel Ford. left.
Mickey Rooney, Henry Ford, Louis B. Mayer and J. E. Flynn at Greenfield
Village, Dearborn, Mich., where the automobile magnate enacted the role of
host.
Leo Roars at Port Huron Premiere
By GENE RICH
Port Huron. Mich.—Michigan industrialists,
and many from across the Canadian
border, too, had a lot of praise for the film
industry after seeing the thousands that
M-G-M's publicity department drew here
and all along the line of the special train
from Detroit for the world premiere of
"Young Tom Edison."
Barrett Kiesling, M-G-M's goodwill ambassador
from the studios most of the year
to the newspaper critics, was in charge of
all plans for the premiere here. Helping
him was Warren Slee, Detroit exploiteer;
Bill Bishop, Chicago and formerly Detroit
exploiteer; Harold Marshall. Indianapolis:
J. E. Watson, Cincinnati, and Louis Orlove,
Milwaukee. Norman Kaphan of the
New York office did all the official photography,
and he took in all several hundred
pictures. The whole crew did credit to itself
for the excellent job done.
The three Butterfield houses where the
film premiered—the Desmond, Family and
Majestic—seated about 3,600 persons, and
every seat was taken . . . Ollie Brooks, Butterfield
Theatres executive, didn't shave
for two days while here, but couldn't keep
it up. However, Jim Helsdon, city manager
for Butterfield, had a swell crop of
sideburns and mustache.
John Cassin, former operator in the
booth of the Family and who still holds his
union card, is mayor of Port Huron now.
He was pretty busy during the two-day
"Edison Days' Celebration" welcoming all
the visiting dignitaries.
The Metro group, especially Rooney and
Mayer, completely won over the two Fords,
Henry and Edsel. Ford opened Clinton
Inn, an historic tavern at Greenfield 'Village,
especially to serve luncheon for the
Metroites. It was set for noon, but so
fascinated by Rooney was Henry Ford, that
it didn't start till 2 o'clock.
After the exhibitor luncheon in Detroit,
Friday, Mayer was corralled by a doting
mother who had him audition her tenyear-old
son, Frederick Musser.
We'll bet that the barber shops of Port
< Continued on next page)

.
: February 17, 1940 [i:
\
I
Leo Roars at Port Huron Premiere
I
Continued from preceding page)
Huron were plenty busy on Monday shaving
off all that excess foliage the men
grew for the celebration.
Rooney appeared indefatigable. He was
rushed for autographs throughout his
three-day stay in Michigan, and was on
the go morning, noon and night, without
ever apparently getting tired of it all. And
he always came up with a fresh idea for
each newspaper photographer who wanted
"just a little different" picture.
Rooney's remark that since he has appeared
in "Young Tom Edison" he never
turns on an electric light without thinking
of the greatness of the inventor, was good
for quotation by practically every scribe
here.
All along the line of the special train
from Detroit to Port Huron there were
literally thousands. At villages, such as
historic Smith's Creek, now with a 254
population, Fraser, 600; and New Haven,
774, there were thousands at each stop
from the surrounding countryside. And
even at every crossroad there were clumps
of hundreds of watchers.
Harold Marshall, Indianapolis, was the
official getter-upper the morning of the
special train-ride. He was romping over
the hotel from floor to floor banging on
the newspaper folks' doors.
The Ford photographic crew—both stUl
and motion pictures—was out to film the
event . . . Jack Lieb and Everett Ryan of
M-G-M News of the Day, Chicago, took the
events, too.
The crush of the crowd at the Port
Huron station was so bad that even Police
Censor Charlie Snyder of Detroit had
trouble crashing through the police lines.
Once, during the trip up from Detroit,
the 1850 engine lost a ^^-inch nut from its
drive shaft. The special was stopped, and
a similar nut taken off the new modern
engine pulling the train, put on the little
Tallow Rails to
See a Star
Port Huron, Mich.—Contending their
only objective was to see Mickey
Rooney, three men pleaded guilty in
circuit court here to charges of placing
fallow on 300 feet of track 20 miles
south of here to slow down the M-G-M
premiere train of ancient vintage carrying
notables to the "Young Tom Edison"
debut.
Railway officials said the train rolled
over the tallow-covered stretch of rails
at ten
miles per hour.
old-timer and the trip was continued.
We liked Police Censor Charlie Snyder's
Americanism remark about Port Huron
luncheon where state troopers were on
duty: "We can be thankful we ate under
the protection of state troopers today and
not the hounding of storm troopers."
Typical premiere events included stowing
away of a 15-year-old high school lass
at one junction "just to get a glimpse of
Mickey;" appearance of a young 26-yearold
nurse at Port Huron in an ambulance,
due to a broken back, who also wanted to
see Rooney.
Bill Potts. M-G-M checking supervisor
in Chicago, formerly in Detroit, and J. E.
Watson, Cincinnati exploiteer, got caught
in the mob at Port Huron station with
four typewriters for press headquarters.
With them was Wilma Conlon, red-headed
press-room stenographer who helped
throughout the three-day events. They
could not get a taxi. So they commandeered
a local resident's car, slapped on a
special-car sticker and still could only go
at a snail's pace through the thousands.
They finally arrived, though, at the headquarters,
the Harrington Hotel, and
Warren Slee, Detroit exploiteer for crowds there seeing the special car, parted,
M-G-M, had a five-day beard growth, but hoping for Mickey Rooney who had not
shaved it off a day or two before the premiere;
figuring maybe the home office and pair when they learned it was only a press
yet an-ived. The resultant moan of des-
west contingents might not recognize him. car, echoed up and down the main street
for fully 30
Ed Beatty, Butterfield president, was
host to the visitors in the presidential
suite of the hotel. And plenty of refreshments,
and not the kind Michigan's puritanical
governor, Luren Dickinson, likes
either, flowed everywhere throughout the
day, press headquarters, at all the town
pumps, etc. And that etcetera takes in a
lot of territory.
Everyone, of course, liked the picture.
But we heard one wag remark, after seeing
the added scene of Thomas A. Edison's
portrait being reversed by Spencer Tracy
and the off-stage comment on the film
about the forthcoming "Edison the Man":
"Gee, that's a swell 7,500-foot trailer for
'Edison the Man'."
Several Detroit exhibitors drove up for
the evening premiere, while all of the
M-G-M Detroit office sales staff was also
on hand. Ed Hartley, National Theatre
Supply sound department head. New York,
was another visitor here.
Port Huron was gayly bedecked in holiday
bunting, with large paintings of Rooney
and Edison on every sidewalk light . . .
The traditional arc-lights, so reminiscent
of Hollywood premieres, were of course
present.
Ted Pio Rito and his orchestra played
for a half hour preceding the premiere in
the Desmond, where all the visitors attended
the showing.
Special cachets carrying data concerning
the trip of the Edison Train and with
At Mayer Luncheon—
A group of United Detroit Theatres
men at the luncheon given in Detroit
for Louis B. Mayer on the eve of the
"Young Tom Edison" premiere at Port
Huron. Clockwise, starting at the
left, around the table they are: Hyman
Blum. Varsity Theatre: Don
Dunn, Alger; Clark Field, Cinderella;
Don Kuhn. State; Earl Hudson. L. H.
Gardner, UDT home office; Harold
Brown, booker, and Frank Upton.
Riviera.
Says Heavy Metro
Campaign Due
Detroit—Howard Dietz, M-G-M advertising
and publicity head, here for the premiere
of "Young Tom Edison," said that
due to the numerous big productions com-,
ing from the studios, the company will attempt
to concentrate equally as hard CD'
all pictures forthcoming.
He said that the momentum started on,
"Young Tom Edison" will be continued
when Spencer Tracy in "Edison the Man"
is ready, and that the fUm probably will
be world-premiered with equal fanfare
somewhere in the east appropriate to the
occasion.
A quarter-of-a-million-dollar campaign
will be used on "Northwest Passage," ready:
for release late this month.
special stamps were available to stamp collectors
as the train left Detroit. They
were post-marked both from Detroit and
Port Huron, before going to their addresses.
Aboard the special train, printed copies
of a message from Henry Ford was handed
to every guest on Western Union blanks,
as used during the days of Edison . .
Similarly, at the Port Huron luncheon
every guest received a copy of the telegram
sent by Charles Edison, secretary of the
navy, and son of the inventor, and received,
at the luncheon by B. D. Barnett, vicepresident
of Western Union. These were
also on old-style telegraph blanks.
Special editions of newspapers, the Detroit
Free-Press and the Port Huron Times-
Herald, were placed aboard the train .
Both contained reprints of the same paper;
from the days of Edison.
The 50,000-watt electric bulb dedicatet
by Mrs. Mina Edison Hughes in honor o;
the inventor, is said to be the largest electric
light bulb in the world now.
BOXOFFICE :

. . Mrs.
TGG)
, . "Jim
: Febmary
. . Melvin
Ill T
. .
. . John
. . M.
. . George
TKK BROWARSKY is vacationing in Florida
.. . The
Stanley gets Clyde McCoy
the week of March 1 . . . Emmaline Flneberg.
formerly with GN and just returned
from a holiday in Florida, was a Filmi-ow
visitor Mrs Edna Carroll, chairman
. . .
of the state censor board, is visiting in
Hollywood as the guest of the Producers
Ass'n .
Alexander Rides Again"
is the slogan of the Republic sales and
booking drive, the event celebrating his
20th anniversary as an independent distributor
. . . Art Morrone has invested in
a new Buick eight . Barrett,
formerly of the local Paramount ad sales
department and more recently at the
company's Cleveland branch exchange, has
been discharged due to the AA merger.
He is now representing the Paulson Cleaning
& Dying Co. here . . . Harry Kalmine,
vacationing in Mexico, has been elected a
director of the Jewish Social Service Bureau.
T S IBI V H
Harry Roney has assumed his duties as
manager of the new Gerard, West View.
Appointed to this post while the house
was under construction, the former Columbia
booker had been kept busy at Point
Pleasant, W. Va., for the Alpine circuit,
operators of the new West View house, and
had been unable to make the shift until
now . E. Andrews, 96, commanderin-chief
of the Grand Army of Republic,
visiting liere for several days, isn't going
to see "GWTW" because "the war's over
and what's the use getting mad all over
again." He furnished good newspaper copy.
F. T. Murray, manager of exchange
operations for New Universal, was here
looking over the modernized exchange . . .
Robert Ripley appeared at Carnegie Hall
Wedriesday evening to shoio "Believe-It-
Or-Not' movies, proceeds going toward the
Finnish Relief Fund . A. Rosenberg,
president of the AMPTO of W. Pa., and
regional vice-president of national Allied,
hopes to attend the annual conveiition of
the ITO of Ohio at the Neil House, Columbus,
February 28-29 .
"B"
Josack, local representative for Quality
Premiums, reports new dinnerivare deals
for the Mischler, Altoona, and the Triangle,
East Liberty. A number of other
contracts are pending for spring and sum-
I
Continued on page 53)
IJIIIIIillllllllllllllllllllllllllllll Illlllllllllllllllllll IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIL
I Profit Pictures For You!
\
Ha7is V. Kaltenborn, CBS commentator,
witnessed "CWTW" from a seat on the
balcony steps at the Warner . . . Chuck
Kiefer. the old medicine man, is seen
around the celluloid colony after being
absent for a long time . . . Mrs. Jules
Lapidus and Mrs. Art Levy loere "Queens
for the Day" at a Valentiyie Party in the
Variety Club . . . Leo Wayne of Paramount
2d sales until AA took over, ivas on duty
I
I
RAYMOND MASSEY
|
The Abe Lincoln of the Screen
[
i in \
2t the M-G-M accessory department this
[oeek . . . The Harry Broioarskys are building
a neio home on Squirrel Hill Ave. . . .
•Pittsburgh city councilmen were presented
hith honorary memberships in the Variety
"^lub at the regular Monday dinner preiided
over by I. Elmer Ecker ... A reel
>f Republic's "Money to Burn" was deitroyed
by fire at a DuBois theatre .
I
loc Gins lias had his hands full
iith a sick wife and daughter, but both
irc now reported much better.
Double Feature: Mannie Steinberg, Heron
Avenue exhibitor, became the father
if twin daughters early Sunday morning.
3orn five minutes apart, the twins weighed
approximately five and six pounds, respectively.
The Steinbergs have another
'laughter 12 years of age and a son 9 . . .
^ohn Perry, Belle Vernon exhibitor, and
Wrs. Perry departed at mid-week for a
nonth's vacation in Havana . . . February
!:9 is the new opening date for 20th-Pox's
'Grapes of Wrath" at the Alvin . . . I. T.
iweeney and Eddie Moreels have resigned
'ales duties with Monarch Pictures. Moeels
has turned attention to a "sweeter"
iJb, that of selling candy, and Sweeney
'emporarily is representing Business Proact
ions
Service.
H. G. Wilt, Ligonier exhibitor for 23
cars, and Mrs. Wilt, who recently retired
rom the business but who are anxious to
et back in stride, were Filmrow visitors
his week . . . A. & S. Steinberg, Inc.. anounce
they are the exclusive local disributor
for U. S. Air Conditioning Corp..
nd that James J. Meyers is no longer
ssociated icith the Steinbergs . . Irving
Hetz attended the Joe Louis vs. Arturo
iodoy fight and has returned to distribute
'ic pictures of this "split decision" battle
John H. Harris and son, John
' jr.. are vacationing in Hollywood.
I
"BLACK LIMELIGHT"
|
= A Strange and Fascinating Story 'with Sustained Power, this Dramatic
=
= Psychological Murder Mystery Presents the Great Dramatic Star in His ;
i Mightiest Role. :
6t
JUST LIKE A WOMAN"
With
GERTRUDE MICHAEL and JOHN LODGE
The Weaker Sex Wins in a Battle of Wits with Frothy Romance, Adventure,
Intrigue, Mystery, Sparkling Comedy and Melodramatic Action.
Booted By Warner Bros. And Other Leading
Circuits and Independents
LOUIS KRIEGER
W. Pa. & W. Va. Distributor
= 1022 FORBES STREET ATlantic 6039
I
PITTSBURGH =
I Available For DeLuxe Theatres: "HARVEST," Best Foreign Film of 1939 =
^iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiir?
OXOFHCE :
17, 1940
51

. . . And
. . Lew
. .
. .
. . Helen
JOHN VALUSKA is the new owner of the
Auditorium Theatre at Mingo Junction.
He bought the house from the estate of
Ken Boothman who succumbed last week
to a heart attack. He did not, however,
take over Boothman's West Virginia theatre
interests . . . WUIard L. Hart of the
Rialto, Aki-on, is ill with pneumonia at the
Akron City Hospital.
Ben Elkins is now operating the Clark
here. Former operator was R. C. Wahl .
Ralph Rose closed the Penn Square last
week. The Penn Square was the only local
house devoted entirely to foreign pictures.
Inability to secure a steady flow of acceptable
fare is given as the reason for the
closing.
Manny Pearlstein, head of the local
Warner theatre advertising and publicity
department, and Mrs. Pearlstein are
planning a California vacation in March
Jane Meisel, Pearlstein's secretary,
anticipating his departure, took time
out last week to divorce herself from her
appendix and is now resting at St. Luke's
Hospital.
Nat Charnas, Toledo exhibitor, was
around the film exchanges during the past
week . Pollock's Universal press
book, which was sent to every exhibitor in
the land, created something of a furore
here. The manner in which it presents pictures
completed, released, and in production
elicited praise by the boys who are
looki7ig for helpful press books.
F. J. Sipher, president of the Whitehouse
Amusement Co., is again operating the
Empress at Whitehouse. This is the theatre
formerly operated by Fred Schram .
The Grand Central, Cleveland, closed last
week. M. Fazio was the last lessee . . . The
Arion, recently opened by Eldred B.
Cooper, also is closed.
A. M. Goodman. UA branch manager, is
chairman of the Variety Post Benefit midnight
show, which will take place at the
Circle Theatre, March 15 to raise money to
send underprivileged boys to summer
camp. Assisting Goodman are Howard
Roth, Dick Deutsch and LeRoy Kendis.
Tickets at 50 cents each may be had from
any member of the Variety Post.
New faces in the local National Theatre
Supply Company's office are Miss Julia
Frank, secretary to Manager L. H. Walters,
and Miss Grace Postle, cashier . . . Jack
Greenbaum, local sales representative for
Hollywood Amusement, has placed the
game, "Lucky," in the Knickerbocker,
Jewel and Rialto of this city within the
past two weeks.
Frank Porozynski, owner of the Garfield
and New Victory, left last Monday and by
this time knoivs just what damage the
cold spell did to his grapefruit farm . . .
T. B. KLAffiAN
Motion Picture Screen Resurfacing Co.
White and Silver Screens
Guaranteed Workmanship—Reasonable Prices
Satisfied Customers for Twelve Years
604 WARD AVE., GIRARD, OHIO
Phone: Glrard, Ohio, 361-J
i
Berlo Vending Machine Company has
moved its offices into 203 Film Bldg.
Irving Shenker, son of Max Shenker,
local representative for Berlo Vending Machine,
and associated with his father, has
announced his engagement to Miss Annette
Newman of this city. The wedding
wUl take place some time in June . . . Another
engagement of interest to local film
folks involves Sidney Garfinkle, sales
representative for Quality Premiums, and
Miss Evalyn Goldstein, cashier at the Mt.
Pleasant theatre. They plan to do something
about it early in May.
Two weddings took place in local film
circles recently. Sam Gerace, manager of
the Rialto, was married last Monday to
Miss Julia Gibac of this city. And the
previous week. Miss Thelma Hirsch of the
Associated Theatres secretarial force, was
married to David Lasher.
Joe Kauffman, local Universal branch
manager, says—and has the contracts to
prove it—that his office has sold better
than 90 per cent of all possibilities this
season, for which he attributes due credit
to Joe Krenitz, George Rosenbaum and
Jim Frew, all three of whom are officially
listed among Universal's Ten Best salesmen
in the country.
Out-of-towners during the past week
xoere few, due to inclement weather, but
among those spotted along the Row were
Ray Wallace of Alliance; Harry Reinhart
of Canton; John Huebner of Marion; Leo
Jones of Upper Sandusky; Ernest Lefton
of Akron; J. O. Guthrie of New London.
George Kendis and John Himmelein
have secured for Ohio and Kentucky distribution
"The Mystic Circle Murder," produced
by Mrs. Harry Houdini and directed
by Panchon Royer . . . Jack Lawi-ence has
resigned from the RKO sales force. His
successor is Joe Lefko . . . Lee Chapman
and Big Feature Rights have parted company.
Chapman is considering the independent
distribution field as his next venture.
Arnold Nathanson has been added to the
Warner theatre publicity staff where he is
assista7it to Dave Bachner, who, in turn,
is assista7it to Manny Pearlstein . . .
Nathanson was promoted from the ad sales
department tohere he is succeeded by Tony
Laurie.
John W. Mattey of the Ritz Theatre,
Huron, one of the town's most eligible
bachelors, was married last Saturday . . .
John Rundell, manager of the Kaufman
and Paramount theatres in Montpelier, is
on the sick list.
Jack Lawrence has resigned as RKO
salesman. Brarich Manager George Lefko
has appointed Joe Lefko (no relation) as
his successor .
Katzell of the
Columbia typing force, is back after a
two-week absence . . . Lee Chapman is no
longer with Big Feature Rights Exchanges.
Inc. He is flirting with the idea of becoming
an independent distributor on his
own.
Gene Autry Western Sets
New Records in Cleveland
Cleveland — Nat L. Lefton, Republic
franchise owner, reports that Gene Autry
in "South of the Border" established alltime
records at four local theatres last
week. The theatres which reported SRC
business during the engagement are the
Lyceum, Olympia, Garden and Lorain-
Fulton, all first-rim subsequent houses.
At the Olympia, Jimmy Shrake exploited
the picture with a singing troubadour, who
in cowboy clothes and a sombrero walked
up and down the aisles singing "South of
the Border." A P. A. system on the marquee
played Autry records. Also 2,500
Gene Autry fan photos were distributed.
A. E. Ptak, owner of the Lyceum, put
out on the street a cowboy riding a horse,
who visited all the neighborhood schools
before each school session, with the result
that he had the biggest Sunday in the
history of the house.
Harry Henderson gave out 2,000 Gene
Autry fan photos at the Lorain-Fulton
and planted "South of the Border" cocktails
at all neighborhood bars in addition
to
window cards and heralds.
All four houses boosted their regular advertising
newspaper space and secured,
from Republic, special lobby displays.
Louis Krieger Offering
Two New Feature Films
Pittsburgh—Louis Krieger, who has presented
"Dead Men Tell No Tales" and
"North Sea Patrol" in this area, is offering
"Black Limelight," starring Raymond
Massey, and "Just Like a Woman," featui'ing
Gertrude Michael and John Lodge.
Both are Alliance films and were directed
by Paul L. Stein.
Krieger has set a number of deals for
two short subjects, "The Warning," a
documentary subject, and "The Birth of
the Movies." Also available is the French
production "Harvest," voted by the New
York critics as the best foreign film of
1939.
Republic Leases Pitt
Grand National Space
Pittsburgh—Republic has signed a longterm
lease for the quarters formerly occupied
by Grand National and will utilize
the space for storage, inspection and shipping
departments, says James H. Alexander,
Republic manager. This action will
remove the last film shipping quarters
from Forbes St., Pittsburgh's Filmrow until
a decade ago.
Republic's sales and booking office will
not be moved.
Work Progresses on NTS
Quarters in Cleveland
Cleveland—Work is progressing on the
new National Theatre Supply building at
2114 Payne Ave. The new NTS home will
occupy 50 feet by 130 feet. The added
space will provide room for the increased
permanent stock of sound and general
theatre equipment to be maintained.
52
BOXOFFICE : : February 17, 1940

. . Bob
. . Due
..C.J.
. . . W.
. . The
. . Carroll
PITTSBURGH
I Continued from page 51
mer opening dates. Milton J. Engel, brother
of the late Lou Engel who formerly handled
Quality Premiums here, is now with
this company at Philadelphia.
staff . . .
Betty Jean McCord, who was the local
winner of the Post-Gazette's "Miss Seventeen"
contest and who is now in Hollywood
in connection with the premiere of
the Paramount picture of that name, is the
daughter of Thomas T. McCord, supervising
principal of Blawnox public schools.
She was accompanied on the trip by Anna
Jane Phillips of the Post-Gazette editorial
Giving it cinema appeal. Earl
Carroll's show at the Nixon opening February
19 is now known as "Hollywood
Vanities." Francis Lederer will be seen on
the same stage the following week as leading
man to Katharine Cornell in "No Time
for Comedy."
.
Boh Lynch, Warner salesman, is back on
the job after a long layoff due to a fractured
ankle . . . Dorothy Hafferty. RKO
stenographer, has resigned and 7noved to
Washington, D. C. She has been succeeded
by Nancy Kimball Latta,
Warner circuit executive and chief barker
of the Variety Club, is back on the job
. . . after a siege of the flu Universal's
District Manager Dave Miller was a recent
visitor looking over the remodeled
exchange quarters Higgins was
in with a new Mae West story . . . Doc
Herman reports that Westinghouse has a
new IGmrn outfit which will be demonstrated
at Syria Mosque.
Floyd Bender and Olivette Webster are
setting the date . . . Al Weiss is vacationing
in Florida . to the illness
of Lew Hepinger, Clarion exhibitor, the
vacation trip to Mexico City has been set
back to around the first of March. Hepinger
will be accompanied by his assistmts,
Rodger Lidstone and Clifford J.
Brenton, and the Parkers Landing exhibi-
,or Jim Madden. They will travel in style.
:oo. Lew having purchased a new Buick
for the trip . . . M. Schmalzbach, 20th-
?ox auditor, is around again . . . Art Levy
,s all set for the opening gun on Coumbia's
Abe Montague drive.
Monogram in Cleveland
Handling Regal Films
Cleveland—Regal films are now being
iistributed through Monogram Pictures.
; Janny Manishore, who formerly distributd
through Harry Lande's Independent
'^m Service, made the arrangement with
Sonogram soon after his arrival in town
Monday with prints of the Louis-Godoy
lictures. now playing the RKO circuit.
Manishore also is handling the Dempey-Willard
reel, now playing at the Priness
Paramount, Toledo, the scene of the
attle 20 years ago. A cavalcade of the
S
ing is shown in conjunction with this reel.
Cobum in "Edison, the Man"
Hollywood—Charles Cobum, who has
ist completed a leading role in "Florian."
ill remain at the Metro studios for anther
picture. He is cast with Spencer
"racy in "Edison, the Man," which Clarnce
Brown is directing.
lOUJll^VlllLlLIE
THERE are reports a new theatre is In the
making here . . . Tony Cassenilla, coowner
of the Virginia Amusement Co. with
Lawrence Davis, was in town the other day
E. Carroll, Falls City Theatre
Equipment Co. executive, said he found the
crying towels out all over the state on a
recent business trip. Too much cold
weather seemed to be the tear stimulant.
-The Fighting 69th" ivas held over here
for a third week, playing the same dates
as "GWTW" . Hannah, who
managed Fourth Avenue Amusement's
Brown Theatre for the last few years, has
gone to Florida to enter the hotel business.
Edward S. Huber has taken over temporarily
at the Brown.
Ed Campbell, Louisville manager for
Williston, took a party to Indianapolis to
see Sonja Henie and her traveling ice rink
show . Drury Lane, which was reopened
recently as a burlesque show, seems
to be doing very well. "Zorina," star of the
current cast, did a lot for the publicity by
taking a dip in the ice-filled Ohio River
while several thousands held their breath
and looked on.
The Parkland, Louisville neighborhood
house, has been improved. New front trimmings,
etc. . . . A. A. Daugherty, film critic
for the Louisville Times, was in Port Huron.
Mich., for the premiere of "Young
Tom Edison."
L. P. Steuerle of the Broadway and Mrs.
Steuerle; Henry F. Reiss of the Ideal, Oak
and Park theatres, and Charles Krebs of
Exhibitors Poster Service
Is Taken Over by AA
Cleveland — Exhibitors Poster Service
Co.. in business here continuously for the
past 27 years, has sold out its interests to
Advertising Accessories, Inc. Philip Kendis,
president of Exhibitors Poster Service
Co., states that the deal becomes effective
on Febiniary 19.
Because of limited space in the National
Screen Service building, Nat Barach, manager,
is maintaining the present Exhibitor.
Poster Service location in the Film Bldg.,
with LeRoy Kendis. son of Philip Kendis
in charge of the branch. Present plans
call for the retention of the Exhibitors Poster
Service personnel.
Philip Kendis, wlio has been in the poster
rental business ever since the early
days of the motion picture industry, is
retiring.
the Fourth Avenue Amusement Co., took
in the Mardi Gras at New Orleans. Reiss
went on to Miami for a few days. Reiss
has a new idea on monthly programs at
his Ideal. Instead of passing them out at
the door, he flashes the announcement on
the screen and has the customers call for
tliem at the boxoffice.
New seats were installed early this
month in the Columbia at Paducah. Ky.,
one of four operated there by Leo F. Keller.
During the installation, the Columbia's
scheduled pictures were shoivn at the Orpheum,
where one of the new seats was
placed in the lobby as a promotion stunt.
SEE LOUIS MAULED!
The Chcanp Is Extended All the Way
Ring's Biggest 15-Round of Action to an
Uproaring Split Decision!
JOE LOUIS
VS.
ARTURO GODOY
t
IRVING DIETZ
Closest Boxoffice Bet Since T
Schmeling KOed Louis
J
— Now Booking —
1701 BLVD. OF THE ALLIES
PITTSBURGH
GEO. "B" JOSACK
ATlantic 4874
OXOFHCE : : February 17, 1940 53

. . . Jim
. . Charlie
. .
. . Abe
. .
. . Mrs.
. .
'
'
T)AVE FLAYER of the Amo incorporated
his new Loyal Theatre Co. for $50,000,
with himself as sole named stockliolder
. Cully Buermele, Co-op general manager,
vacationing in parts unknown, has
decided to stay away till March 1, friends
report.
ID) IE T IR €> 11 T,
Shrine Circus calling local showfolks—
Bill Carlson, ex-chief barker of Variety,
is "barking" up there daily; Frank Lorenzen,
is
the theatrical florist, usher every
day; Fred Schader, former Fox exploiteer,
and Mac Krim, circuit owner, were
among those in Tuesday's crotvds.
Sol Krim has left for Florida . . . Ray
Schreiber, owner of the Colonial, with his
associate, WUliam Graham, and Sol Berns,
booker, was away on a week's trip to New
York to buy shows.
Paul Sander, Berni Miller and Bob Wilson
of the Chicago office of American
Guild of Variety Artists, were in town
looking over the theatre situation . . .
Lloyd Hammond, independent producer,
was a victim of indigestion . . . Polly
Pollard. Republic booker, and prexy of the
Film Bowling League, was stopped from
boivling for a couple of weeks by a torn
ligament in his right hand.
The two Robinsons—Harold and Arthur
—were lunching together Thursday, with
Bill Flemion of Excellent as the innocent
bystander . . . Jack Hurford of the Fox
is taking bets it's twins in May . . . David
M. Idzal, managing director of the Fox,
returns from a three-week trip to California.
sick list . . .
Theatrical Post Notes: George V. Clancy,
musicians official, recovered from recent
Ruben Rosenfield on
illness . . . Max Kolin, Post Commander,
Jack Ferentz.
has a next) Chevrolet . . .
musicians busiiiess agent, went ice fishing
with a can of peas for bait.
Sam Brown, circuit owner, has moved
among the elite, out in Palmer Woods,
while his dad stays on Boston Blvd. .
Alex Schreiber, breaking bread at Greenfield's
at 2:00 a. m., thinks the Loop
Lew Wisper, we hear, is at the Miami-
Biltmore, Floridifying . . . Anne O'Donnell
and Bill Flemion, Excellent's bosses, are
off on a business trip to New York.
G. E. Leveque, of Cinema Service, has
returned from New York where he attended
the national Poster Ass'n meet .
Ben Zimner, UA, sporting a newly ornamented
nose, said a razor did it . .
.
W. R. Stebbins, Film Building manager,
had an important date in Ann Arbor
Saturday.
William G. (Bill) Bishop. M-G-M district
publicity chief, arrived Monday, to
run the press rooms in Detroit, barely had
a spare moment but managed to renew
his Detroit acquaintances . . . Warren
Slee, Detroit's M-G-M exploiteer, slipped
off to Port Huron Wednesday. Mrs. Slee
loas a pressroom visitor Thursday.
A. D. Dickerson has been kept busy
resurfacing screens lately . . . George Mc-
Arthur has a second son, George jr., entering
Lawrence Institute of Technology.
WOLVERINE DOINGS:
Mitchell Leisen of Menominee is director
of Paramount's "Remember the Night."
his 13th film . . . Floyd Chrysler, M-G-M
state salesman, is readying his craft, the
"Waunetta," for the lakes.
Ollie Brooks, Butterfield head booker.
^HE stork was generous to filmites the
past week. Mrs. Andrew Niedenthal,
wife of the operator of the Belvedere, Mt.
Adams, presented him with a boy. The
future exhi'oitor is a grandson of Mrs.
Charlie Niedenthal, operator of the Evanston
here. Jimmy Russell, proprietor of the
Russell, Alderson, W. Va., also is the proud
parent of a boy.
Warner's Ruth Reynolds is on the sick
list, as is Metro's Katherine Marsh . . .
was up in Port Huron for a week in advance
of the Edison premiere.
Interlochen Music Camp, up near Traverse
City, is slated to be the locale of
a Paramount feature, probably using the
camp name as title—to be filmed next
summer.
A. Milo DeHaven, manager of the 'Woodward
Grand and Belmont in Highland
Park, is keeping a complete file of exploitation
and reviews from Boxoffice,
. going "way back when" De
Haven is leaving for Rochester, Minn.,
for an operation. He will join her later.
Harry Lush, of Plymouth and Northville,
was a visitor to John Howard of
Paramount and Sam Seplowln of Republic—they
claim he's a permanent fixture
there.
Fred Willett has opened the new Rudyard
at Rudyard, near the Soo, and the
first house in the town . . . D. A. Kooker
has the "biggest little circuit" in Michigan—four
theatres, at Bruces Crossing,
Ewen, Sidnaw and Trout Creek—total
seats, 710.
E. V. Smith, RCA representative. Is back
from a trip up near the Straits . . . Mrs.
Elizabeth Moon of Charlevoix, is in Flori-
Harold Schuckert has his new Cass
City Theatre, at the town of the same
name, ready for opening February 28.
The old one burned last fall.
,
should do a good night business.
Mrs. John Walter. Huntington, W. Va.,
Paramount doings: John W. Brown,
has purchased the Park there
noio
from James
at Indianapolis, writes back how easy
Rodgers . Hyman's Keith-Albee, Charley Schroeder, local Warner sales
it
is to get a meal there and how he
Huntington, did a record business on "The accessory manager, is spending quite a bit
likes
the town . . . Bea Mattingly. John
Hunchback
Harvard's
secretary, has always lived in De-
of Notre Dame." The house, of time in the booking department these
which seats approximately 3,000, held the days . . . Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Kiesling.
troit, except three years in California
feature six days.
Kiesling & Newboldt circuit, spent several
. . .
days here booking and shipping. While
^
Jack Ryder, salesman, still windoiv shopping
for a new car and coat.
with his new theatre in Jackson, Ohio, a Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Eifert . . . "Grapes
Curtis Childers is getting along nicely here they were dinner guests of Warner's
480-seater
Joe Tracy, who used to book
which he expects to have ready
for 'Warner,
is manager of Jack Broder's new Time by May 1 . . . George Delos has taken Washington's birthday for an extended
of Wrath" opens at the RKO Palace on
over the Strand, Portsmouth. He also
'West, of Burriss Studios, got a
run at increased prices with a ^0-cent top.
operates the
letter from his wife in the Great Southwest.
Garden.
Metro's "Red" Devanney came in for a
Lou Wiethe's opening of his new West-
two-column spread in the Enquirer, apropos
Charlie Garner is distributing the Dewood
unth an invitational preview of "Abe a request from the studio for a large ii^
Lincoln in Illinois," was the event
Mille production, "King of Kings," in the
of the bear tame enough to work without a leash.' |„,
iceek.
territory Robert Bernstein and Theodore
A representative gathering of exhibitors
Devanney's nearness to Cincinnati's zoo- 'HI
David are new M-G-M student
and film folk attended . . .
. . .
Reservations
for the Cinema Club's first an-
is not unusual when wild animals are
logical gardens brought the request, which -;
salesmen
here.
nual installation dinner, a stag affair, are needed on location in Hollywood . . . Columbus
Metroites were out frolicking at a
and Dayton scribes were guests
in the hands of RKO's Al Kolitz. Two
sleigh-ride Thursday . Collins dollars and fifty cents entitles one to cocktails,
of Metro at the preview of "Young Tom
presented his Star Dust Revue at the
Edison" at Port Huron. Mich. Cincinnati
a dinner and a revieiv to be staged
Variety Club Saturday night.
by Col. Arthur Frudenfeld. Judge Hand-
writers were unable to make the journey.
ley ivill be toastniaster . The place is the
Variety Club, the date, February 23.
Gene Custer is reopening the Princess,
;
Lewisburg, W. Va., for Saturday-Sunday -
operation. Mrs. L. P. Dysard, widow of v.
the former owner, will be cashier .
Columbia is setting its sails for the A.
Montague "15th Anniversary Campaign,"
February 17 to May 10 . . . Bill Onie's
testimonial jubilee, "March for Monogram,"
is in full swing. Onie, incidentally,
is taking a short rest at Hot Springs.
54
BOXOFFICE : : February 17, 1940

'
I
Time
: February
Industry in Boston
Has a Big Heart
Boston—The motion picture division of
the Boston Community Fund Campaign
went over the top this year, subscribing
4 per cent above its quota. The annual
Boston charity broke all records by amassing
a grand total of $4,647,652.06.
Boston film men ser\'ing on the committee
included Martin J. Mullin, Joe
Brennan. Edward A. Cuddy. Harry Mc-
Donald. A. G. Munro. H. M. Addison. Lou
Richmond. Al Somerby. Frank McManus,
Maurice Corkery. Harry Wasserman. Hy
Sam Soule. Frank Lydon, Ed Canter.
Pine,
Edward Lovett, George Kraska, Lew Talbot.
Lou Krasnow, Walter McGee, Howard
Burkhardt.
Fi-ederick Randolph Greenway. Maurice
Streletsky, George Friary. Tom Wall.
Ralph Ripley. George Sweeney. Nate
Levin. George Heeley. Joe Marquis.
M. F. Huban. Ben Rosenberg. Har-
Dld Fiiary, Prank Solomont. Joe Callahan.
::iarence Lofgren, Phil DePetro, Bernard
Phillips. Jack Goodwin, Ab Pinanski, Harry
joldstein, Al Lourie.
John Carroll, Joe Sullivan, Lew Newnan.
Art Morton, Sam Feinstein, Joe
jourie, John Buckley, Max Nayor, Ab
iilenberg, E. O. Ramsdell. George Hack-
'tt, Ben Domingo, Tony Zinn, Ken Russell,
U Lauder, Chet Ellis, Stanley Sumner,
vlaurice Wolf, John Dervin.
Dave Ambuter, Harry Rogovin, the late
iarry Decker, Jack Byrne, Maurice Maser,
Steve Broidy. Frank Wolf, Al Kane,
Cyril McGerigle, Ed Morey, Edward Calahan,
Joseph Carroll, Jim Murphy, Nornan
Ayers, Lawrence Hacking, Ken Dougass,
John Loftus, and H. J, McKinney.
Reorganization Petition
^iled by DiMaura, Inc.
MiLFORD, Conn.—Thomas DiMaura, Inc,
wner of the new 550-car Milford Drive-In
'heatre, leased and operated for the first
ime last season by Drive-In Theatre of
ililford. Inc., has filed a petition for rerganization
under chapter 10 of the Naional
Bankruptcy Act. The U. S. district
ourt has passed an order continuing the
!ebtor in possession of its assets and concol
of its business, which is to prevail un-
Q further order of the court.
for the filing of claims by credi-
')rs, stockholders and other parties in in-
.jrest was limited to Feb, 23, 1940. Claims
're to be filed with the debtor corporation
jt 164 Stuart St., Boston. The corporation
as until March 1, 1940 to submit its plan
f
reorganization.
^omden's Enlarged House
Vill Reopen Feb, 22
Westport. Conn.—George Comden's retodeled
714-seat Fine Arts will be rejened
on Washington's Birthday, accordig
to present expectations. The house
is been enlarged from its former 499
at,s. the front and exterior rebuilt in
ilonial style, and the house re-equipped.
Confucius Say,
"Blank Night"
Boston—The Boston "Traveler" last
week wrote of the solution of a theatre
manager who had been momentarily
baffled by a problem that arose when
his local newspapers declined to accept
any further Bank Night ads. The
film prexy got around the detail by
adding one line to the regular theatre
space. It was, "Confucius say, "Blank
Night Tonight.' "
Pressing Problems on
Conn. MPTO Agenda
New Haven—Connecticut MPTO meets
12:30 p. m., Tuesday at Ceriani's Cafe
at
Mellone, for discussion of several statewide
industry problems which have become
acute this season, Arthur H. Lockwood
will preside.
Report of the Bingo committee on the
prevalence and competition of Bingo games
in the territory will be given, and a plan
proposed for testing the constitutionality
of the law passed during the last legislative
session, permitting only religious, civic
and fraternal organizations to run the
games. Popularity of the games throughout
Connecticut has been constant and exhibitors
have felt the steady drain of
patronage, it is reported. The budget committee
will also give its first report of the
year.
Executive Secretary Herman Levy will
present the problem of the prohibition
against exhibitors placing circulars in
house mail boxes, and the federal statute
and postal department regulations which
govern. The complaints received on this
score, especially from outlying districts,
where tlieatre programs have been distributed
house-to-house, has prompted an
exhaustive study of the situation.
Discussion will also be had on developments
in theatre liability insurance providing
economies by flat rate per seat rather
than per admission rates.
Rochester Colonial Is
Opened by Interstate
Rochester, N, H.—The Interstate's Colonial
has been reopened here following an
extensive alteration program.
Improvements include moving of entrance
from Arrow street to South Main
street; installation of a large marquee;
more conveniently located ticket office, and
redecorated inner lobby.
The companion house, the Scenic, underwent
a very expensive remodeling a year
ago that converted it into one of the finest
film theatres in the state. William Stanton
is manager of both houses.
Two Plan Houses
New Haven—Two theatres, but a fewblocks
apart, are planned for Bridgeport by
Lou Anger and A, H. Blank.
Reinstatement Order
Will Be Contested
By BRAD ANGIER
Boston—Ralph Snider, New England
circuit owner, will appeal to superior court
the finding against the Dedham Theatre
Corp. by the labor relations commission
in which the latter ordered two projectionists,
allegedly discharged for union activities,
reinstated and given all back pay
less any amount earned by them from the
time of their dismissals to the time offers
of reinstatement are made.
The procedure will be to petition for a
review of the decision by the superior
court, with a view toward determining if
errors of law were committed and if the
findings were substantiated by evidence.
If an adverse decision is given here, the
circuit owner will probably appeal to the
state supreme court.
Snider, vacationing in Florida, is not
expected to return to Boston before the
end of this month. He could not be reached
for comment. A circuit representative,
however, told this publication that of
Snider's some dozen houses, all but two
are union situations.
500,000 Legionnaires May
Attend Boston Conclave
Boston—It is estimated some 500.000
legionnaires will be in Boston in September
for the five-day convention of the
American Legion. Theatres hope to cash
in on the affair toward which the City
of Boston has contributed $25,000 and
Massachusetts has given $50,000.
William H. McLaughlin, commander of
the Theatrical Post of the American
Legion, has appointed James Sheeran of
the Department of Public Safety chairman
of the film district convention committee.
Serving under Sheeran are Kenneth
Forkey, Patrick F. Healey, William
Basch and William Cotty.
Investigation of Beano
Is Underway in Boston
Boston — A Boston investigation of
Beano is under way. Theodore F, Lyons,
chairman of the City Council committee
on ordinances, is in charge of the probe.
The group plans to draft an ordinance
establishing more rigid regulations for
Beano, providing for the enforcement of
orders from Mayor Maurice Tobin's office,
and establishing heavier license fees.
E. M. Loew Reply on
Anti-Trust Suit
Boston—Blanket denials of anti-trust
law violations constitute the answer
filed by the E. M. Loew attorneys in U.
S. district court here. The way is now
clear for proceedings that will probably
include petitions calling for dismissal,
bills of particulars and the right
to
take depositions.
3X0FnCE :
17. 1940
NE 55

. . . Evelyn
. . . Emmett
. . Ben
. . John
. . The
. . Bob
. . Lou
. . Adolph
. . Most
. .
. .
. . . Nick
. . Harry
. . Sick:
. .
. . Hillmer Robinson, assistant
[
. . Basketball
. . Jimmy
. . The
•
•
'
j
I
'",
'
:
J
'
i
-
'.
,
.
MIIEW IHIAVIEM Trial by Jury Granted
jyjETRO PEP CLUB elected an advisory
committee consisting of Morton Katz.
Ethel Philips, and Prank Mullen at its
second meeting of the year. Members decided
to meet the first Monday in each
month for big doings .
Anger of
Bridgeport and East Hartford was an infrequent
Pilmrow visitor . . . Abraham
Germaine. father of film men Henry, Sam
and Larry, is reported improving after his
recent operation at Grace Hospital and will
undergo a second operation this week .
Henry Germaine is in charge at Paramount
in the absence of Eddie Ruff, who is
off on a southern cruise . G.
Johnson is back at the job after a trip to
Detroit where he visited the Clark Coulter
office.
Congratulations to Jim Memery, artist
of the Loeiv-Poli division office, who is
father of seven-pound James Parker, born
at Nejv Haven Hospital . . . Mrs. Abe Fishman
is on her way to join the several
Fishmans sojourning at Miami Beach .
Jack Post, Al Bookspan, and Lawrence
Caplan of the Fishman organization busier
than ever these days .
Mahan back
from a Chicago meeting for Warner district,
branch and exploitation managers
Mott is the new member of the
Warner secretarial staff . . . Elliott Kronish
of the Poli staff is an apt French
pupil at New London these days . . . Harry
Shaw has a special citatio7i and Bob Russell
a quarter -master citation in the
Quigley awards . . . Elwood Russell, son of
Bob, Poli manager, is trying out on his
clarinet in the Stokoivski auditions.
Adornos in Suit
MiDDLETOWN. CoNN.—Judgc Edwln S.
Dickenson of the superior court has
granted the defendants' claim for juiy
trials
in the $269,000 "conspiracy" suits of
Fi-anklyn Arrigoni, Middlesex Theatre, Inc.,
and S&S Corp. against Salvatore, Maria
and Joseph Adorno. It is expected trial
will be reached some time in March.
The plaintiffs are owners of the Capitol
and Middlesex Theatres. Middletown. and
Salvatore Adorno is owner of the Palace
and former general manager of all three
theatres. Conspiracy is charged against
Adorno. his wife and son. and misuse of his
position during his general managership in
1932. Tlie defendants deny the allegations
and claim that the statute of limitations
applies
in these cases.
Capitol Is Taking Over
Library Night Handout
Boston—Capitol Theatre Supply Co. is
taking over the New England distribution
of Library Night, a new book handout for
theatres. The giveaway features an eightvolume
set of the New American Encyclopedia.
These books have been revised
up to September of last year, and contain
many of the details of the present war.
There is also an accompanying five-volume
set of Webster's New American Dictionary.
The volumes, all in gold embossed bindings,
are printed in Clinton. Mass. Capitol
is recommending a deal whereby theatre
patrons bear a part of the tariff for the
books, according to Kenneth R. Douglass.
IHIAKTIFORD
jl^BOUT TOWN: Wallace J. Cooper, as-
,•
been switched to the Palace to help Lou : P'
Cohen, manager, for the duration of the
running of "GWTW." While Wally is at
^
\\
the Palace, his duties at the other Loew ]'.
house in town are being accomplished by
student assistant, Russell G. Grant .
Mrs. M. Oakley Christoph, film columnist,
Hartford Courant, was in New York City
last week . P. Shaw, Loew's division
manager, was in town last Monday
... In town for the opening of "GWTW"
was Lou Brown, Loew publicity man from
New Haven.
School reporters for the Bridgeport Post
were the guests of Manager Matt L. Saunders.
Loew-Poli, Bridgeport, at a showing
of -'High School" and "Little Old New
York" last tveek.
A special cartoon and comedy show,
suggested by nearby Parent-Teacher organizations,
was presented at Maurice
Shulman's Webster last Saturday morning
. . . Bessie Proffitt's revue opened a threenight
stand at the main stem Daly last
Thursday evening.
::
Victor Morrelli. manager of the Bristol .
'..
at Bristol, is noic assisting Manager Rich,
Cameo, also in that city. Warner is planning
to rebuild the Bristol, which ivas destroyed
in a fire some weeks ago . . . Filmrow
visitors: Elliot Kronish and Bob Rubin
of Loew's New Haven office . . . It's free
dinnerivare to the ladies at the Barnum in
Bridgeport nowadays.
:
i
.
i
'
i -:
I
'
;
i
. .
\
j
;
Thomas J. Vaughan, Loew-Poli house
of Universal home office is a
Al Herman
frequent visitor during the absence of Morris
policeman, has purchased a new car ...
of Oscar Cappuccio,
Under the leadership
played a bowling team -•
Joseph, who is recuperating in Florida
Cashman. RKO home office
the E.
match
M. Loew's
with the
^
bowling team of the I
j representative, will spend a little time at
Crown Theatre on Tuesday . Mauthe
local branch . Simon is anxiously
awaiting announcement of the date of
rice has been ill with the grippe, while
Search for Premium Deals rice Kindall and Eric Vogeller, Lyric. Mauthe
20th-Fox convention, which he will Continues in New Haven
Eric has an arm infection . . . Governor
precede with a vacation on the coast and a New Haven—Exhibitors in the territory Baldwin was given a public reception on
^
will
Politeers continue their search for new premium the stage of the Bradley, last
Putnam, visit to his family
line up at Monday's bowling match as follows:
week, after having inspected a state trade
deals. Capitol. Bridgeport, has bought
John Mongillo. Garles Gaudino. Metro's tablewear from Harold Rubin. school in that town.
Marciello Pasano, Shipwreck Kelly, H. Other Metro deals have been purchased
Bobinski. A. Finn. H. Norman vs. P. Manente.
J. DeLise. S. Jaffe, M. Blevins, J. Lido, Waterbury, dinnerware, and Cannon, new member of the service staff at the E.
by the Parkway, Bridgeport, beauty wear; Asylum St. doings: Peter Boniato is a
Santillo. A. DePrank, and E. Planz. Pretty New Haven, mixing bowls.
M. Loew's .
Florine Bower will be score keeper and The trend toward encyclopedia giveaways,
in which the patron pays 15 or 25 on Thursday Lombardo and
manager, same house, ivas in New London
mascot.
.
cents for each volume, continued with Joe Gallagher. M&P Allyn. are doormen
Local take for the first week of "GWTW
Stuart, Lakeville and Glastonbury theatres
signing up for Dick Cohen's new ed for the year, as far as the E. M. Loew's
at intervals season has end-
.
is estimated at $21,000: with another $19,-
'
000 piled on for the second week. Third
Standard American Encyclopedia deal. is concerned. The basketball team of that
week tickets going strong as soon as announced,
according to Sam Badamo of the
Johnson & Robbins have put the Farber house, under the able captainship of Harseries
into the Strand, Hamden.
old Rosenberg, usher, ended its season with, *
College.
The Parkway, Bridgeport, has started four games won and two games lost.
Warner exchange is still leading the district
free radios and other merchandise gifts.
Paul Binstock, Lyric manager, was in
. . . Norman
New York City on Monday .
old
in the current drive
Moray, head of Warner short subjects department,
stopped in to chat about the
Roach Signs Rian James
Jacques Theatre in Waterbury came into
signed Rian the public spotlight again, as former Mayor
marvels of "Teddy the Rough Rider" on
the Hayes last week advertised it for sale.
HoLLYVi'ooD—Hal
James to adapt
Roach has
"Turnabout" from
his way to Boston and chide exhibs on Thome Smith novel.
their failure to plug shorts . courageous,
significant, powerful picture yet,
boards of the Lyric Theatre last Friday
Maxie Ford's Revue appeared OJi the
was the consensus of the screening room the Capitol. Meriden, because of the grippe night ... A Cooking School, sponsored by
audience which saw "The Grapes of
Del Rosso, self-styled crack a prominent department store here in
Wrath" last week . Russell made bowler of Meadoiv Street, challenges Ben town, is soon to make its debut at the same
present plans.
the Loew-Down for his unusual sports Lourie. ivho claims the same distinction. h07isc. according to
shop window display on "Everything Happens
at Night."
Bob Portle of the Plaza. Worcester, is Holdovers: "The Fighting 69th" went
another flu case, and Joe Amsted of the into a second week at the WB Strand .
In the field: Leo Ricci was abse7it from Elm Street, Worcester has the grippe. Ditto for "GWTW" at the Palace.
BOXOFFICE :
f,
: February 17, 1940 \
k

I
'
David
. . Charles
. . Ditto
. . Fred
. . Mr.
le Biltmore in the Rhode Island city . . .
.
.
B « ^ T (O M
inRTHUR SHARBY is taking advantage
of the Lenten slack to remodel his
ituation in Richford. Vt. . . . James Kenledy,
giveaway man, was in New York
ast week . for Joe Schmuck .
lU Herman of Universal was on the road
. . Phil Berler, E. M. Loew booker, has
returned from the south.
Croimifield. internationally fanous
illuminating engineer and member
./ the Illuminating Engineer Society, died
,1 Cambridge last week at the age of 74.
Terry Turner. RKO exploitation man,
yas in town . . . William Scully. Universal
xecutive, was here . . . Julius Meyer,
rother-in-law of Louis Mayer, was in
rom West Springfield.
"Wind" to Conclude in
Boston After 8 Weeks
Boston— "Gone With the Wind
'
was to
have concluded its eighth and final week
at Loew's Orpheum this week. The film
ran day and date for five at both Loew's
State and Orpheum. breaking all Boston
records.
To Open Two Houses
Boston—Tex Safrene will open Horticultural
Hall in Manchester-by-the-Sea
and the Oceanside Hotel Theatre in Magnolia
about June 17, it is now planned.
Safrene has operated the summer spots for
the past few years.
New Type Night Club May
Develop for Hartford
Hartford—A new type of night spot,
similar in some respects to the new and
highly successful "danceterias" in New
York City and other places, is reportedly
contemplated for Hartford. According to
present news told this publication, Capitol
Casino will reopen at 900 Wethersfield
Ave., with two bands and varied entertainment.
Complete details are lacking, but indications
are that if the deal goes through,
theatremen in this area will have to watch
out for still another form of entertainment
which will try to draw patrons away from
theatre boxoffices.
Drs. George Whipple. William Murphy,
lid George Minot are being contacted by
Varner Bros., which seeks permission to
Im the three Bostoii scientists' lives. The
rio has specialized in the study of anemia.
Ethel Simes of the M&P accounting deartment
was out for several days last
'sek with a bad cold . . . W. A. Badger,
. H. film man, is dead as an aftermath
f an automobile accident.
Dominic Tutturo. Millbury exhibitor,
'OS in . . . Lou Richmond of the E. M.
oew circuit has been in Florida . . . D. J.
ullivan, formerly at the Plymouth in
Worcester, is dead at the age of 46.
, Lynn Central Labor Union recently voted
) take a stand against the Neely bill
Goldreyer. former operator of
le Rialto in Salem, is now with the Film-
.nd Press in New York City . . . Harry
sher of Producers Distributing was in
ew York on business . . . Mary Grey of
16 E. M. Loew home office has been
i New York.
Benjamin Rosenthal, manager of the
'.rand in Gloucester, has signed with Sam
avidson for a china deal. Rosenthal is
iing the giveaway luith a 35 cent adissio7i.
Harry Asher screened "Mercy Plane,"
arring Jimmy Dunn . and Mrs.
aurice Green, Maiden theatre folk, and
le Cohen, booker for Maurice Pouzzner,
ft here last Friday, en route to Florida,
automobile.
.Dave Ambuter of the Ambuter Film Lab-
[atories had a wrestling film at the
Tortsman's Shoiv. He put out the celluid
under his Croimi Film setup . . . E. M.
igland . . .
back from a cruise, planned to leave
>ew.
is week for Florida . and Arthur
larby zvere down from northerii New
Joe Mathieu was in the
^strict.
.
Thomas J. Moran, Brookline building
immissioner, has opposed the proposed
lection of two billboards on Harvard
ireet in the Boston suburb . . Archie
Mverman, operator of the Strand in Proviince,
will be feted by a large Boston
(ntingent at his forthcoming dinner at
OUR GOODWILL GIFT TO YOU
LIBRARY
8 VOLUME
SET
New
American
Encyclopedia
Get This
Boxoffice-Builder
EXCLUSIVE
In Your Vicinity
NIGHT
5 VOLUME
SET
Webster's
New
American
Dictionary
DE-LUXE GOLD EMBOSSED BINDING
COMPLETE LIBRARY IN THIS SET
Everything You Want to Know
HEALTH POLITICS SCIENCE
INVENTIONS ENTERTAINMENT
ILLUSTRATIONS
LATEST WAR NEWS
NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR ART
HISTORY
SPORT
%yi HEW ENGLAND ORGANIZATION FOR
NEW ENGLAND EXHIBITORS
»-»0 PIEDMONT STR£JET • BOSTON. MASS.
I
Continued on page 59 >
DXOFFICE :: February 17, 1940 57

. . . Mr.
. . . The
. . . The
. .
"Vigil in the Night" Is
Clipped by Hub Censor
. .
Boston—Wrestling scenes were clipped
from 20th-Fox, Loew's. and Paramount
newsreels last week by the department of
public safety, and eliminations were made
in RKO's "Vigil in the Night." Dialogue
cuts in the latter film, now at Keith's
Memorial, included "But the fact remains
.," to and including ". ... in my spare
. .
time" and "I haven't told you . . .," to
and including ". where I spent the
night."
"Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet" was among
the 43 other motion pictures passed without
eliminations.
On the vaudeville side of the ledger,
14 acts were granted Sunday licenses. Ted
Adaire & Co. were refused permits for
Lord's Day performances in the Bay State.
Six other routines were ordered to eliminate
the word "hell," all dancing, and all
objectionable and suggestive actions.
"Birth of a Nation" Denied
Showing in Springfield
Springfield, Mass.—Massachusetts censorship
here last week halted plans to present
D. W. Griffith's famed motion picture,
"The Birth of a Nation" at this city's
Women's Club Auditorium. The picture
was shown at the Avery, in Hartford, following
the Springfield censorship. After
the Hartford showing, the film was presented
on the screen of the YWCA Auditorium
in New Britain.
Title of Short Changed
Boston— "Fighting Bear" is no more.
It's now "Fishing Bear." Eugene McSweeney,
Massachusetts commissioner of public
safety, last week approved the change in
title of the new M-G-M short.
"Pot O' Gold" Program
Has Imitators in Hub
Boston—The "Pot O' Gold" radio handout
has its local imitators.
The Radio Telephone Club came into
being in Boston last week on a Monday
to Fi-iday schedule over WCOP. The program
is sponsored cooperatively by a
number of concerns. Names of prize winners
are chosen at random from the
Boston telephone directory. Daily passwords
are given out over WCOP, and anyone
telephoned who can furnish this pass
word is given extra money.
Woman Awarded $900 in
Fall at Poli-Palace
New Haven—Katherine Falso of Hartford
was awarded $900 damages against
likely to glance up at the screen while
walking to a seat. He indicated that better
lighting and escorting of patron by an
usher with a flashlight were called for in
this case.
58
THE CAMEO, Woodfords, operated by the
Leon P. Gormans. created a lot of goodwill
among students of Westbrook Junior
College by allowing them a certain cut
on all tickets sold by the group for "The
Ski Chase," featuring Hannes Schneider.
The picture was shown under the auspices
of the college alumnae.
Rumor has it that the Deering, which
was closed January 28, is to be reopened
soon. It is believed Charles Ganellas'
partner, a shoe man from Lowell. Mass.,
will take over operation of the little
theatre.
John Russell's young daughter, Jean, is
convalescing from an appendectomy performed
at the Maine Eye and Ear Infirmary
about ten days ago. She was released
from the hospital February 8. Russell
is a projectionist at the State.
"Gone With the Wind" opened day and
date at three spots in Maine February 8:
At the Empire. Portland, a Ralph Snider
house; Opera House, Bangor, an M&P theatre,
and at the Auburn. Auburn, a Maine-
N. H. unit.
The Ritz, Lewiston, operated by Leon
P. Gorman of Portland, opened last week
and Mrs. Harry Botwick, of the
State, motored to Boston February 5 just
for the fun of it . . . Local projectionists
are wondering what has become of the
licenses they were supposed to have received
some time back.
Local 458 of MPMO held a banquet at
the Eastland Hotel, February 11. Wives,
sweethearts and girl friends were guests of
honor. The committee on arrangements
consisted of Harry Boynton and Erwin
Robbins.
To give "The Fighting 69th" a good
sendoff. the State held a special prevue
for commanders and the executive staffs
of the American Legion Posts of Portland,
South Portland, Peaks Island and Westbrook.
IBRIII»C.IEPCI>Kir
J)OT PEDDLE of the Loew-Poli staff is
back from Boston where she enacted
the role of God-mother to a relative's baby
Hippodrome has resumed its matinees
on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Kay Roscka of the Loew-Poli staff is ill
and Mary Prescott has been added to the
usher corps . . . Industrial activity here
now is paralleling that of World War days
Loew-Poli has added Jack Arnold
as usher and relief doorman.
Poli-New England Theatres in her suit for
injuries allegedly sustained in a fall at the Morris Rosenthal, Majestic manager;
Poli-Palace in Hartford. The superior Fred H. Russell, Post-Telegram film editor,
court found there was an element of hazard and Miss Ann Preehan were the judges In
in a descending aisle, since the patron was a "Gone With the Wind" review contest .
Edgar Lynch isn't feeling so well, according
to reports from Worcester . . . Lawrence
Langner is expected to operate the
Westport Country Playhouse himself next
summer.
Says Boston Garden Made \
Only $32,000 in 1939
Boston—Walter Brown, MPTOA member
who is general manager of the Boston
Garden, told a City Council committee last
week that although gate receipts at the
Garden last year approximated two million
dollars, the net at the end of 1939 was
but $32,000.
The Garden lost over $500,000 between
1928, when it was opened in the then new
Boston and Maine Railroad Terminal,
and 1934 when its management merged
with that of the Boston Arena, Brown
said.
Housing such attractions as hockey
games, circuses, rodeos, and ice festivals,
the Garden has been a prime theatre
competitor since its establishment.
Brown was app>earing before the com-i
mittee in opposition to a proposed in-'
crease in license fees for events at the-
Garden.
Maybe Boston Is Still
"Cradle of Culture"
Boston—Reports to the contrary, perhaps
Boston is still the "Cradle of Culture."
So believes Jack Goodwin.
The managing director of the Metropolitan
Theatre has been informed by Dr.
I. Q.. currently conducting his series of
quiz broadcasts from the stage of the
4,332-seat house, that the official tabulations
of right and wrong answers during
the first four Hub shows reveal that
Boston audiences are leading in the percentage
of correct answers as compared
with results in other cities.
VanDoren Signs Equipment
Deal for Waterbury Unit
Waterbury, Conn.—Frederick 'VanDoren.
operator of the Hamilton, who is constructing
the new 600-seat modern Towei
in the w'est end section of Waterbury, has
signed with Modern Theatre Equipment
Corp. for painting and decorating, lighting,
seating, carpeting and booth equipment.
The work will be done under th(
personal supervision of Lou Phillips. Th(
one-floor house will be finished in April.
Seven Loew-Poli Managen
Study "Grapes" Selling
New Haven—Managers of the sevei
Loew-Poli A houses which will soon pla;
"Grapes of Wrath." met Wednesday at th(
division office for a special exploitatioi
conference on the picture, with Harr;
Shaw, division manager; W. C. Wilbert
20th-Fox home office representative on ex
ploitation, and Ben Simon, 20th-Pox Nev
Haven manager, presiding.
"Fighting 69th" Pleases
;
Hartford—Raymond J. Kelly, nations
commander of the American Legion, wit
nessed a private showing of "The Fight
ing 69th" at the WB Strand here and de
Glared the film to be, "the greatest wa
film that will ever be released to th
American public."
BOXOFFICE : : February 17, 19*1 Ho

. . The
. . Dave
. . Aaron
: February
. . Harry
. . Phil
. . Richard
. . Frank
. . Martha
. .
BOTTOM
(Continued from page 57)
Nat Levin, recently with Trailer -Made,
is now at Monogram.
John Cannuda. Indian Orchard exhibitor,
has been seeking remodeling estimates
for his Massachusetts situation . . . Arthur
K. Hoioard and Frank Lydon planned to
attend the Allied Theatre Ourners of Connecticut
confab Tuesday at the Hotel
Garde in New Haven .
Sheridan,
formerly of Monogram, noiv is handling
the Montreal branch of Warner Bros.
Frank Faille, manager of the Paramount
in North Adams, found a used-car giveaway
a strong draw at the Goldstein Bros,
house Garceau. operator of the
.
Community in Fort Kent and a member
of the board of directors in the Maine
. . .
municipality, was in Boston Rose
Pasano, exhibitor in Fitchburg and Lowell,
was in the Hub .
Kirchgessner.
National Screen Service manager in this
territory, flew to New York.
Harry Gennaine. premium man; Harry
Olshan. Columbia salesman; and Al Fecke
of the Republic sales staff have been made
a committee of three to follow up on the
progress of sick members of the Motion
Picture Salesmeyi's Club . . . Joe Anstead.
manager of the Elm St. in Worcester, decked
out his cashiers in Scarlett OHara outfits
to exploit "Gone With the Wind."
Jack Granara, RKO publicist, spotted a
"Vigil in the Night" contest in the Boston
Traveler whereby prizes were offered for
the identification of former Carole Lombard
films. Contestants were also obliged
to write a 50-word letter stating whether
they preferred Miss Lombard in comedy
or straight dramatic roles.
Harry Segal ivas in Boston . . . Marcel
Mekelburg, local head of the new Fine
Arts distribution setup, tvas in New York
on business Fishman of the
Community in Fairfield is planning a Florida
trip . . . Dr. J. B. Fishman, also of
'/le Connecticut circuit, is already south.
Robert Hines has returned to the Strand
n Stamford. Ed Peskay house in Conlecticut
. . . Irving Isaacs, circuit owner,
las his wrist in bandages . . . Christine
\ntognoni of the Harry Asher office was
)ut ill part of last week .
B.
S,ubin. operator of the State in Saugus.
vas in the district last Fi'iday for the first
,ime since his stay at the Beth Israel
father of Henry Germaine of
Paramount in Connecticut recently undervent
an operation.
A new Warner house is going up in
Sristol. Conn., to replace a fire loss . . .
'.oeiVs Poli is putting in new marquees at
he Elm St. in Worcester, and at the Mer-
'den and Palace in Hartford . . . Jim
Ed Peskay will try legit productions
ombined with films in Stamford, Conn.
Kiss the Boys Goodbye" will be the first
lay to hit the boards, it is planned . . .
larry Goldstein is in charge of entertain-
ment for the April 7 dinner-dance of the
Motion Picture Salesmen's Club, to be held
at the Coconut Grove.
Walter Murphy, former local Loew's
treasurer, now manager for the Graphic
Theatre circuit, was in from Brandon, Vt.
Borrelli has formed the F. B.
Theatre Enterprises to handle theatre
equipment and to put on IGmm arid
357717/1 portable shows. Borrelli may be
contacted at 96 Porter St. in Somerville.
Mel Morrison, manager of the Strand
in Dover. N. H.. for the M&P Theatres
Corp.. has worked the Pot O' Gold idea
into a straight theatre draw by handing
out passes at random via WHEB announcements.
Michael Daly interests have been negotiating
to take over the Crown Theatre in
Lowell from Mrs. Rose Fasano . . .
Also
the subject of proposed deals is the Strand
in Beverly, operated by the Ganetakos
brothers . . . Mary Brady this week became
secretary to Steve Broidy. local
Monogram sales manager and member of
the Monogram board of directors.
Roy E. Heffner of Specialty Pictures.
Inc.. was in New York last week .
George Kraska of the Fine Arts Theatre
has returned from the Metropolis Arthur
Martel. for years organist at the
. . .
Metropolitan, is now doing a Hammond
organ stand at Bob Berger's adjoining the
de luxe house.
A fire at the Shubert last Thursday
caused minor damage in the downtoiun
house . . . Les Abbott. Motiograph executive,
was at the Capitol Theatre Supply
Raye did
offices last week .
a personal at the Paramount in Springfield
last week.
Thomas Meehan. RKO divisional manager
here prior to Charles Koerner and
Harry McDonald, now is putting on a quiz
program over WTAG . . . George Kraska
has closed "Harvest" out of the Fine Arts
Theatre after a five-weeks and two-day
run.
JVo Date Set for AUied's
Next Eastern Regional
Boston—No date has been set for the
next eastern regional meeting of the Allied
States Ass'n, according to Frank Lydon,
eastern regional vice-president. Developments
are being awaited before another
confab is set. Events may take such a
turn at any time, Lydon admitted, that
a conference may be precipitated on short
notice.
Hadelman Will Enlarge
Shelton, Conn. House
Shelton, Conn.—Morris Hadelman will
begin remodeling of his Shelton about
Oempsey. manager of the Paramount in
April. A new modern front will be constructed
.ynn, has been supervising the wrecking
which is being
and the house will be enlarged
•f an adjoining structure
in an L-shape from the present 500 seats
orn down to make way for a parking
to 880. The post office building next door
pace.
was acquired for this purpose.
Teamed on "Winkle"
Hollywood—Kenneth Earl and Ernest
Pascal are collaborating on the script of
20th-Fox's "Rip Van Winkle."
NEW HAMPSHIRE
PATRONS at the evening show at the
Olympia in Portsmouth. February 4.
were unaware of a $50,000 blaze which
swept a business block next door. A large
fire wall separated the film house from
the blazing structure, so it was unnecessary
to disturb the audience.
Ansel Sanborn. Carroll county exhibitor,
was a recent spectator at the "Ice Follies"
in Boston, accompanied by Mrs. Sanborn
. . . Mrs. Harriet Webster, wife of Elihu
Webster, manager of the City Opera House,
died in Rochester.
Manager Ralph E. Morris has aimounced
that the Colonial in Laconia will show
"Gone With the Wind" during the week of
February 25. Previously, it had been understood
that no New Hampshire city north of
Concord would get the film this season.
Peter M. Gagne apparently vMsn't busy
enough as operator of the Somersworth,
as well as collector of internal revenue, so
710W he has been named chairman of the
Somersworth school board.
Arthur Howard Speaker at
Civic League Film Forum
Boston—At the Massachusetts Civic
League film forum last Wednesday at the
Town Room in Boston, Arthur K. Howard,
business manager of the Independent
Exhibitors, Inc., was one of the speakers.
Talking on the subject "Movies, the
Modern Miracle—a Menace or a Muse"
were Mrs. Howard S. Shephard of the
Worcester Better Films Council, Mrs. Elliott
B. WilUams of the Massachuseti t
State Federation of Women's Clubs, and
Dr. George E. Gardner of the Judge
Baker Guidance Center.
First Child on Television
New Haven Youngster
New Haven—First child ever to appear
on television was five-year-old Patty Ann
Cooke of West Haven, member of the cast
of College Theatre Kiddie Kapers on
WELI. Freda Swirsky, who accompanies
and coaches the radio show, accompanied
the complete NBC television show Saturday
night. Patty's picture has been sent
on to Hollywood by scouts.
Take Over Modern
Boston—Larry Lasky and Irving Shapiro,
circuit owners, have taken over the
Modern Theatre in Marlboro from Ross
Fiisco. Frisco, operator of the Latin Quarter,
film district night club, has for years
been a vaudeville booker in this territory.
;
AIR
CONDITIONING? \
Nothing Better — Nothing Cheaper
Than Well Water
WYMIIIItK IN NK« KNCI.ANO
ROBINSON ARTESIAN WELL
CO., INC.
lANMIEl.n (KNTF.K, M.VSS.
^ Tel. I..vnnfiel(l Centir 133 l
OXOFTICE :
17, 1940
59

Georgian Motii for the
Strand in Pawtucket
Boston—Modernized Georgian is the
new motif of the Strand in Pawtucket.
M&P Rhode Island house. William Riseman
and Alex Lercari, Boston theatre decorators,
combined shades of fawn with
gold and Queen Anne blue in the lobby of
the house.
The foyer has been covered with rich
damasks in red, gold and accents of burgundy.
Georgian patterns in rust and
gold are used in the damask covering of
the auditorium. The house remained open
during the job.
Poll Theatres, Inc., Seeks
Assessment Reduction
Bridgeport — The Poll New England
Theatres, Inc., has petitioned the local
board of relief for a reduction of $233,460
in the assessed valuation of their property
here. Included are the Loew-Poli. Majestic,
Lyric, Globe and the site of the old
Plaza with a total assessed value of
$2,204,815.
Television Show
-A Farnsworth television show
was held here last week, Tuesday through
Thursday, at the Jordan Marsh Co. A
special show was put on one morning for
pupils of the Horace Mann School for
the Deaf, emphasizing the lip-reading potentialities
of the innovation. Public turnout
was heavy.
Prize to Goldstein
Boston—Harry Goldstein, manager of
the Morton in Dorchester, won the $50
first prize in the joint M-G-M—M&P exploitation
contest for "On Borrowed Time."
Ralph Tully, manager of the Central in
Biddeford, Me., ran a close second.
Sponsor Talent Search
Danbury, Conn.—The Palace will present
a weekly Wednesday Radio Talent
Search under the auspices of the Associated
Sound Co. of Danbury. The program
will be rebroadcast on WICC, Fridays.
Feb. 20 Date Set
Boston—The next meeting of the Indeisendent
Exhibitors, Inc., originally scheduled
for February 13, will be held at 20
Shawmut St. headquarters on February 20.
The IMl Nights
Abridged
Worcester, Mass.—The world's champion
motion picture fan. in all probability,
is 14-year-old Victor WasseU. When
found after a two weeks absence, police
said the youngster admitted to
spending one week in one theatre, and
the other week in another. They said
that he slept in the theatres at night,
eating borrowed candy, intermingled
with a supply of water.
Poesy Plugs Party
Boston—The film district turned out
last week Saturday for the Boston Friar's
Club valentine party at The Commons,
and Max Melincoff, local district manager
for Warner Theatres, turned on fountain
pen and poetic instincts. Wrote Melincoff,
with more reportorial craft than poetry:
"Listen, you guys
With ants in your pants.
You've been yelling for a party.
Now here's your chance!
"It's a Valentine Party
For Friends, Sweethearts and Wives.
Bring 'em along for the
Time of their lives!
"A program's been arranged
That's gonna be fine,
And the fun will commence
Exactly at nine.
"You'll see Old Time Movies
Of yars and yars ago.
With a piano player and drummer
Who know how to play the show.
"Then there's a prize Question Bee
Like you hear on the radio.
And we'll have a chance to learn
Just how much you know.
"And after that there's dancing
With Art Rubin and Crew,
He'll teach you the La Conga
And other dances, too.
"There'll be plenty of food
And you can eat all you're able,
A variety of delicious eats
Will be served at a buffet table.
$3.00 a couple is dirt cheap;
To that you will agree.
So, come on, boys, let's get together.
For one big Jamboree!
Loew's Opens Meriden
Poli for "GWTW" Run
Meriden, Conn. — Loew's, Inc. have
Breaks House Records
Bridgeport—All house records were shattered
at the Warner by "The Fighting
69th," with Sunday being the biggest individual
day in the theatre's history.
Resumed Thursday Openings
Hartford—Loew-Poli here has gone
back to a Thursday opening day for new
films, after having observed Fridays for
the same event for quite some time. Management
said that the move was for "an
indefinite time."
Bradbury Foote to Metro
Hollywood—Bradbury Foote has joined
Metro's writing department. He will
work under Producer John Considine jr.
High Requiem Mass Held
For Late Harry Decker
Boston — Harry Decker was buried
Saturday at 9:00 a. m. with a solemn high
mass of requiem at St. Agnes' Church in
Ai-lington Center.
Decker, 53 years old, was in the Boston
film limelight for 35 years. He owned the
Film Exchange Transfer Co., was a member
of the Boston Friar's Club, and was the
oldest member of the National Rim Carriers
Ass'n.
He is survived by his widow, a daughter,
and a son, the latter a student at
College High.
Shoe Production
Up
Boston—Theatremen were heartened
by the report that New England shoe
production showed a 4 per cent increase
in 1939. A minor chord was struck, however,
by the fact that national production
was up 7 per cent over 1938. On the
other hand, Massachusetts led all shoe
cities in 1939 by producing 80,124,164 pairs,
more than 8,000,000 above the figure of
New York, second city on the list.
Levine Forms Firm
Boston—The Northeastern Film Co. has
been formed here by Sam Levine, formerly
of Grand National. Levine announces he
has New England distribution right to
"Special Inspector," "Murder in the News"
and "Death Goes North." Offices are;
opposite National Screen Service on Mel-,
rose St.
John E. Hoban
Claremont, N. H.—John E. Hoban, 72,
who operated a film theatre in Barre, Vt.,
|
for many years until his retirement in
1923, died February 5 in Claremont General
Hospital.
Cerio Suffers Fall
Bridgeport—Albert Cerio, scenic artist i
at the Lyric, sustained a rupture when he i
opened the 1,022-seat Poli for the holdover fell from a ladder back stage. An emergency
operation was necessary to save his
of "Gone With the Wind." The house has
been dark for the past two years, Loew's hfe.
operating the Loew-Poli Palace continuously.
After completion of the holdover, the
Big Take by Ice Follies
theatre will be closed again. Nat Rubin,
New Haven—Biggest engagement in the
Poli, New Haven assistant, will assist Joe
amusement field in this state was the Ice
Samartaro during the holdover.
Follies at the 4,500-seat Arena last week,
which is reported to have taken $55,000
in eight evenings and two matinees. The
Follies featured Roy Shipstad, Bess Ehrhardt
and others.
LaGuardia Advises
What Hub Missed
Boston—Film men sympathized when
Mayor LaGuardia gave solace to Mayor
Tobin of Boston at the recent Clover
Club dinner. "Mayor Tobin," said La-
Guardia, "you don't know what you
missed by not having a World's Fair
in Boston. If you think you're broke
now, just try one."
BOXOFFICE : : February 17, 1940

'
i
Boston—The
High-Speed Pictures
Boston—Photographic equipment enabling
the taking of high-speed pictures
at one-millionth of a second, were put on
public exhibition for the first time last
week. The mechanisms were invented by
Dr. Harold D. Edgerton of the Massa-
:husetts Institute of Technology where the
iisplay was housed. By the "stop motion"
technique, pictures may be taken of bulets
in motion, bubbles bursting, glass
jreaking, and so forth.
The principle of Dr. Edgerton's mechinism
is along the lines of a flash bulb
hat may be used innumerable times. Ed-
;erton invented a bulb that throws four
imes as much light as the noon-day sun,
ind synchronized it so he could take picures
at one-millionth of a second with
n ordinary camera.
The bulb is filled with xenon and crypon
gases. Charges of electricity explode
he mixture, giving spasmodic flashes of
rilliant light. Inside the bulb is another
0-watt filament which throws a continuus
light for camera focusing. Work for
lotion picture adaptation has been going
n for the past few years.
"Anema Club Members
host the Roll to 55
Boston Cinema Club, tak-
\g on seven new membere, has increased
5 enrollment to approximately 55 bookers
id office managers. The film fraternity
)w takes in all of the larger distributors,
ith the exception of Paramount.
The new members are Sam Richmond of
.e Lockwood and Gordon circuit: Julian
ifkin of the Rifkin circuit, and Eli Leatt,
Leo Griffin, Robert Levine, Edward
:'ltman, and William Kummins of
Big Real Estate Load
Boston—Local theatre owners were int;ested
in the statement by Ray Wenzlick,
ul estate counsel, to insui-ance companies
id banks in 138 cities, that Boston's real
Kate tax load per family is $297.50, the
scond highest in the country. The natnal
average. Wenzlick said, is $121.30.
Apply for Licenses
Portland—Projectionists at local theat'S
have filed applications for licenses
vth the state insurance department in
cnpliance with the new law passed by
t? last legislature.
Not All Are Hurt
iARTFORD — Congressman James A.
Sanley of New Haven enjoyed the film.
" r. Smdth Goes to Washington," and
d not take the exception to it that
scae legislators in the nation's capitol
a reported to have taken.
laurice Shulman, owner and operator
o: the local Webster, Rivoli, and Plaza
Cindsorj theatres, was in Washington
a)i heard praise for the picture, which
ni,' is playing at his houses, from the
Nmeg State congressman. "I thought it
w a very entertaining film . . . splendidly
die," declared Shanley.
BCOFFICE :: Febraary 17, 1940
'Ambiguily' in 'Wind'
Advertising Rapped
New Haven—Protest against the "ambiguity"
of current "Gone With the
Wind" advertising will be sent at once to
William Rodgers, general sales manager of
Loew's, Inc., as a result of a unanimous
vote taken at the special Allied Theatres
of Connecticut meeting at the Hotel Garde
Tuesday. The letter will point out "false
impressions created in the minds of patrons
regarding the form and admission
prices of the feature when it arrives at
subsequent run houses." Exhibitors state
they have learned from their patrons that
the newspaper advertising lines. "See it in
its entirety, exactly the same as at Atlanta
and Broadway premieres" have led
patrons to believe the film will be cut for
second run presentation.
The statement, "This production will not
be shown anywhere except at advanced
prices—at least until 1941," has also been
misinterpreted to mean that the picture
may never be shown at lower than current
prices, operators repwrt. Prevalence
of these impressions resulted in discussion
and decision to protest, and Lawrence C.
Caplan, executive secretary, was ordered
to forward the protest at once.
Joseph F. Reed, operator of Bryan
Memorial Theatre, Washington Depot, and
Bantam, Bantam, was appointed chairman
of the new grievance committee, to serve
with William Hoyt, of the Capitol, East
Haven, and Jack Schwartz, of the West
End, Bridgeport, in hearing and attempting
to conciliate grievances. It was decided
that the services of the grievance
committee should be extended to members
and non -members alike, at least for the
present, and that exhibitors should be so
notified.
Frank Lydon, regional vice-president of
Allied, and guest speaker of the afternoon,
stressed the necessity of harmony
and support within the organization and
constant cooperation with the national
body as a whole. Ai-thur K. Howard, business
agent of Independent Exhibitors,
Inc. of Boston, with whom the Connecticut
group is affiliated, spoke on the various
advantages and services attendant
upon membership in the organization. E.
Thornton Kelly, in his final report, stated
that 90 per cent of Connecticut independent
exhibitors had become members of
Allied in the recent membership campaign
conducted by him. With Kelly's transfer
to Philadelphia as eastern Allied field representative,
appointment of a new field
man in Connecticut will be considered at
the next meeting.
President A. M. Schuman announced
the following members to serve on a newly-formed
legislative committee: A. L.
Pickus, of the Stratford, Stratford: Leo
Bonoff, of the Madison and Saybrook:
Harry L. Lavietes of the Pequot, New
Haven: Martin H. Keleher. of the Princess,
Hartford: Ralph Pasho, of the Gem,
Naugatuck. and Lawrence C. Caplan, executive
secretary.
Membership and finance committees will
also be appointed at the next meeting of
the unit, scheduled for Tue.sday, February
27, at the Hotel Garde. Attendance
He Had an Answer
Portland—Even at the tender age of
ten they seem know all about cupid and
his dart. Witness the fact that a certain
little shaver on Harry Botwick's "Recess
Time" program the other morning started
a wave of titters with his answer to this
one:
"In what game is the word 'love' used in
keeping score?"
The little fellow shifted his feet, blushed
to the roots of his hair, finally stammered
:
"Postoffice."
Patent Office Anniversary
Body Adds George Barnes
Boston—George L. Barnes, vice-president
of the Heywood-Wakefield Co., is
serving on the committee in charge of the
forthcoming Boston commemoration of the
150th anniversary of the founding of the
U. S. patent office.
A feature of the gathering of New England
scientists and industrialists February
20, at the Copley Plaza, will be the presentation
of awards to various eminent living
New England inventors and technicians
who in the past 25 years have
made outstanding contributions to American
life. Those to be so honored are being
selected by a national board presided
over by Dr. Karl T. Compton, head of the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Bushell Reelects Officers
And Its Four Trustees
Hartford. Conn.—The Bushell Theatre
Co. has re-elected its officers for the ensuing
year and four trustees for five-year
terms. The officers: Charles F. T. Seaverns,
president: Howell Cheney, vice-president:
Hartford National Bank & Trust Co.,
treasurer: Alec G. Stronach, secretary.
Ti-ustees: Mrs. Robert W. Huntington,
Charles A. Goodwin, Clement Scott and
Robbins B. Stoeckel. A fifth trustee, James
H. Brewster, was reappointed by Mayor
Spellacy and the Hartford board of aldermen
for a term of five years.
Joseph Callahan Is Feted:
A Trade Member 30 Years
Boston—Joseph Callahan, manager of
the Harvard in Cambridge for the past
two decades, was feted last week at the
Hotel Somerset in honor of his 30th anniversary
in the motion picture business.
F. W. McManus, M&P Theatres Corp.
district manager, headed the committee
in
charge.
Health Fails Stone
Hillsborough. N. H.—Announcement is
made of the resignation of O. Stone as
manager of the Capitol, due to poor health.
Raymond Bruce has been named as his
successor.
Reconstruct in Lisbon
Lisbon. N. H.—The Lisbon has been imdergoing
reconstruction since its disastrous
fire of December 1.
at the meeting of many exhibitors never
before active in independent organization,
was reported.

lOfOfifllflllOO
BURfOU
Readers of BOXOFFICE will find thia
page a ready source of information oa
products which have been filed for reference
with The MODERN THEATRE m.
FORMATION BUREAU.
Information on the following items may be secured by sending in the coupon.
Use the key numbers. If data on subjects other than those listed is wanted,
just state your requirements. We will endeavor to see that you are supplied
with details promptly.
ADVERTISING
MT517 Air filters
MTS18 Air diffusers. high
1MT519 Cooling colls
MT481 Main signs and marquees
MT482 Signs, Neon

'
moral
Independent Staffs SaysNeelyWouldOpenTheaires
Urge Against Bill
2b Many Film "Welfare" Units
Birmingham—Independent theatres outide
of film exchange cities will be hard
lit if the Neely bill is enacted, a petition
irculated among independent theatre emiloyes
for forwarding to the Alabama deleation
in Congress declares. It contends
hat many independent houses will have
close if the bill becomes law.
Letters also are being secured protesting
he bill from local civic clubs. American
,egion posts and other organizations, and
.'ill be forwarded to the Alabama deleation.
The text of the petition as signed by emloyes
of Waters Theatre Company, of
fhich N. H. Waters is president, follows:
"We. the undersigned employes of local
idependent theatres in the Bii-mingham
istrict, realizing the importance and
ignificance of the Neely block bookingllnd
selling bill, known as S-280, which
ill come up in the House very shortly,
•ish to make known our thoughts and deires
in connection with it.
"This bill will not harm in any way the
irge exhibitors who maintain offices in
ach exchange city: but the small indeendents
like our employers will either
•ave to make a trip to the exchange cen-
;r to buy each and every picture, or it
ill be necessary for the distributing comany
to send their salesmen Into the ter-
.tory. which naturally will create a large
xpense. This, of course, wUl be passed
a investigation you will find that it will
)rce out of business a great many small
iwn exhibitors throughout the south."
Irkansas Fire Marshal
^akes Rules Stringent
Little Rock. Ark.—State Fire Marshal
uy E. Williams announced recently that
rict adherence to the rule governing fire
•evention in theatres will be required,
e stated that during the past it had been
apossible to inspect all theatres. An asstant
has been added to his department.
3wever, and all houses are now being inlected.
No new film theatres will be allowed to
)erate until they have been approved.
uring a period of ten days recently seven
leatres burned.
Add in Hot Springs
Hot Springs. Ark.—Malco Theatres,
c, has taken over the State here from
G. Blaschke, who built the house over
years ago. The property will be renoted.
C. H. DuVall wUl manage.
Dallas—The moral and economic arguments
posed by proponents of the Neely
bill are dressed down in a feature article
by Dale Miller, associate editor of the
Texas Weekly.
In ihe first instance, he argues, enactment
of the bill would open up avenues of
action for many "welfare groups . . . particularly
in small communities" who
"would exert relentless pressure on each
exhibitor to accept only such pictures as
they decided were suitable for the general
public to see."
"Censorship in most forms is repugnant."
Miller continues "but in the case of selfesteemed
paragons of public virtue prescribing
what we may vicariously enjoy
and what we may not, it is especially so.
"The crusade for legislative action to
i remedy this situation > began years
ago, before the motion picture industry
adopted its rigid production code and proceeded
to censor itself into innocuousness.
but the circumstance that the conditions to
which the reformers object have already
been corrected, has done nothing to mitigate
their zeal or discourage their efforts."
Cites Cancellation Privilege
He observes that "so-called sex pictures
are produced by obscure independent companies
and always sold singly" and that
present trade practices "do not compel any
exhibitor to play any picture" because they
permit "him to cut-back a percentage of
the pictures for which he contracts."
Turning to the economic aspects of the
bill. Miller chides that segment of the
n to the exhibitor, meaning that a great
lany of the smaller theatres will out of
ecessity have to close as they will not be
to pay the additional cost of pictures trade which believes "elimination of block
ble
lat will be brought about through the en-
:tment of the Neely bill.
booking will permit them
select only pictures which
(exhibitors)
will procure
to
tlie
"We. therefore, implore you to use your best patronage and thus produce the most
revenue."
ifluence in attempting to defeat this bill
hen it is presented on the floor of the
ouse, feeling sure that if you will make
"Few big industries," he declares, "would
operate efficiently without the extent of
their markets being determined at least
partially by advance contracts. And the
motion picture industry in particular, because
of the variety of its products and the
heterogeneity of its customers, needs to obtain
a reasonably accurate estimate of its
market before investing manifold millions
of dollars in production and distribution.
"... The necessity of selling each picture
independently of any other would incur
tremendous additional expenses, which
"Less Oiiensive Than
Funny-Papers"
Dallas — "The organized motion picture
industry has already made the
movies less offensive morally than even
the funny-papers," says Dale Miller, associate
editor of "The Texas Weekly,"
in an article deprecating the moralist
angle of the Neely bill.
If the bill is enacted, he foresees a
field day in the operation of theatres
for "welfare groups" and "various exemplars
of public morality," and plenty
of trouble for exhibitors, especially
those in small towns.
"What We Would See
Under Neely Bill"
Dallas—Dale Miller, associate editor
of "The Texas Weekly," hitting the
Neely bill as "restrictive" and "meddlesome"
legislation, speculates on the
kind of pictures "we would see if block
booking and blind selling were abolished,"
and comes up with this:
"... if each picture had to be sold
independently, the incentive to gamble
on artistic or expensive productions
would certainly be reduced. Films
would tend to become stereotyped, to
adhere to prosaic patterns, and would
be produced more frugally and less inspiringly,
with an eye on their marketability
and not on their worth. Hollywood
would labor and bring forth its
mouse.
"A great medium . . . would be pulled
as if by a magnet toward a common
denominator of Shirley Temple and a
travelogue through birdland."
would be passed on to theatre-goers in
higher admissions prices or be absorbed by
the industry in depreciating the quality of
its products—either of which would result
in lower boxoffice receipts and less income
to all branches of the industry, to say nothing
of the effect on the entertainment of
the public."
"... what the bill prescribes to eliminate
blind selling, is non-sensical beyond
debate," in Miller's opinion. "A producer
must either prepare a synopsis in advance
—and then knowingly violate the law and
risk imprisonment by producing the best
picture of which he is capable, or ignore
every new idea and inspiration that may
occur to him or his staff—or he must prepare
it after the film is completed. In the
latter case, distribution and exhibition of
the film must be delayed at a critical time
while the expensive and tedious process of
providing the synopsis and selling the
show is laboriously undergone, with resultant
inconvenience to the industry and
the public, and sacrifice of the film's timeliness.
"All this is deemed necessary to permit
exhibitors, who don't care, and moralists,
whose business it is none of, to protect
the public from the objectionable portrayals
which no longer appear on the
screen."
objection" the
Miller's "essential to
Neely bill is that it is "restrictive" and
"meddlesome" legislation.
"With regard to the motion picture industry,
neither its organization nor its
operation is perfect, and perhaps such
trade practices as block booking and blind
selling are not the best that could be devised.
But they are the product of years of
growth, years of experiment, years of trial
and error, and what changes need to be
made should be brought about by the normal
interplay of economic forces and not
by peremptory decree of government," is
Miller's basic idea.
JXOFFICE : : February 17, 1940 S
63

Texas Theatre Owners' Head
Answers Allied White Book
Dallas—A "complete survey" of Texas
reveals the preponderant exhibitor opinion
as opposed to enactment of the Neely
bill, according to Judge R. L. Walker of
Lampasas, Tex., president of the Texas
Theatre Owners. He says that of 744 theatres
contacted he has secured 728 theatres
opposing the bill and only 16 in
favor of it.
Springboarding from an article in Boxoffice
for January 27, Judge Walker's extended
answer to Allied's White Book
follows:
helpn
hearing in this blasting and counter-attat
I appreniate the (act distributors are doin
they can to protect their busine.ss and, tc
extent of their fight against the Neely ]
Ing we small exhibitors. I have had lots
ments in the past with the distributors
ing and booking but have never telt 1
disagreed with them at times on sales policies
the industry should be destroyed because someone
else in it besides me happened to be making
money. I deeply appreciate the fact that the producers
and distributors, through their efforts in
building one of the greatest industries we have,
in doing so have made it possible for me to make
more than fair returns on my sme
and realize without their efforts I would
fur
vith a (ollow
act
nted
our industry have
task of trying to
legislate the small exhibitors out of business. I
have, as president of the Texas Theatre Owners,
made a complete survey of Texas and out of 744
theatres contacted have secured the names signed
to a petition of 728 theatres opposing the Bill,
and only 16 who are in favor of the Bill. The
people who have signed these petitions are exhibitors
making their living out of the business
and are not "butchers, bakers and candlestickmakers"
or "general counsel" or "32 organizawould
iciate very much the space
ch point quoted in your arti
nts made by Myers out of t
£xhibitors
Pr
heir own wholesale stores for the sole and only
he jobbers price. The argument is as foolish as
o say I must buy apples one at a time and put
ach in a separate sack. However, you cannot
xpect a logical argument on the buying of pic-
.
Increased Cost
The statement "There is no reason why the bill
pen
requ
The general adr this for he
ciden
be more than offset by the increased revenues,
etc." And, "with greatly increased boxoffice receipts,
exhibitors could stand a MODERATE
INCREASE IN FILM RENTALS WITHOUT
ADVANCING ADMISSIONS." I do not have to
who is a past master at juggling words and covering
up the real purpose back of his bill.
Listen exhibitors, to what he says: "A modthis
"moderate increase" will cover a "moderate"
salary for one or more to supervise, check and
run our business for us.
Sj-nopsis
Clause
This is another juggling of words the
counsel (general contortionist). have a
I
copy of the bill before me as passed by the
Senate and it says: "An accurate synopsis of the
contents of the film," and "such synopsis shall
be made a part of the lease and shall include
a general outline of the story, description of the
principal characters, a statement describing the
scenes depicting vice, crime, or suggestive of
sexual passion." What is that? The general
counsel presents a wonderful argument, but he
gets everything right except his facts and hie
deductions.
I believe i
The bill itself says
nd w^hat its purpose
It is the purpose of t
par
"free to negotiate and trade" where
neficlal legislation" come in. It is
louflage and jumble of words hiding
nd. in my opinion, furnish jobs for
"dictators" we exhibitors will have
tilr
described by the synopsis." So the producers
must give a complete synopsis. If he does not
he will be fined. Who has the right to say he
has complied? Some one friendly to him? No.
to, Therefore he will have for self protection,
give a full, complete description. If he takes a
And Mr. Exhibitor, you will be subject to it
because any person who knowingly transports
Texas—
On to
Chief Barker Bob O'Donnell of the
Dallas Variety Club whooping it up
to make the annual national Variety
convention there the tops in such affairs.
And if you doubt that Bob can
ride, you should have been behind the
curtain in the studio when this shot
was made.
RKO's Bookers in Dallas
Drive Hard for Depinet
Dallas—Bookers of RKO are in spirited
contest now to put Dallas in first place in
the Ned Depinet Drive which started
January 27 and ends May 10.
R. E. Helms, office manager, promoted
the rivalry among Clarence Wilson, head
booker, who will do his stuff April 14 to 20,
"Lin" Harrington, who will shoot the
works, April 21 to 27. and Jack Walton
who will swing into action from April 28
to May 4,
The three cannot solicit dates from exhibitors
whose territory is ordinarily
handled by either of the other two.
pared with the aggregat
the law the distributor
Kxlilbitors Can Buy as Many Pictures as Desired
In the "White Book" he says; "The bill explaced
under
? or that the
exhibitor can
fered him and
heavy penalty
salesman sell pict
for
does otherwise, the exchecker
that will be
acts can prosecute him,
le chance. "We may have
"general counsel" right
as the right to sell what
distribu jr is charging too
single pi ture in comparison
block buying when the B prohibits the disthe'
"White Book"
hutor from offering a blc
?nts of the general counsel
ally deserves a place in good comic short.
•ery exhibitor knows he c 1 not buy pictures
igly and keep his playing
len the law prohibits t
tha
Price
Control
n s.ll them for one at a time and
t place.« no such restriction on tl
any other business. the Clayton If Act dc
ly the necessity for this bill?
rhere is no other i
class of business in
trid where the wholesaler can not offer to
:ail merchant a better bargain if he takes
mber of articles than it he buys only o
Mchanta all over the country have opened
or causes to be transported any picture whicli
,
is leased or intended to be leased, is subject to i
The producer and distributor will not dare to
offer you any picture until it has been completed
and a correct synopsis can be given. The
result to you, Mr. Exhibitor, is you will have to
vou
64

WAS GODOY ROBBED?
50 Hard-Boiled Theatre Executives, Film-Buyers, Press Agents and What-Have-
You . . . Sat in a Screening Room and Cheered Their Heads Off—at the
The President of a
Big Circuit Says
"The Best Fight Pictures in
20 Years! They are not
only Thrilling and Sensational—They
are Entertaining—and
I'll venture to
say they will Break Box
Office Records!"
An Independent
Theatre Owner
Says
"Fight Pictures heretofore
have always appealed to
the men-folks—But here is
a 'Natural' — Fight Pictures
that Every Member
of the Family will Enjoy."
A Famous Press
Agent Says
"Was Godoy Robbed? Did
Louis Really Win t h e
Fight? Here's an Opportunity
for Every Showman
to Cash-In on This Trem
e n d o u s Exploitation
Stunt! It's Cash in the
Box Office,—Sell It!"
NATIONAL SCREEN in Dallas
has the Trailers and
Good, Too.
JOE
LOUIS
vs.
ARTURO
GODOY
FIGHT PICTURES!
And when the Screening was over—
EVERY IMPORTANT CIRCUIT in
the Southwest BOOKED THEM—and
are SeUing Them up to the Hih!
Here's YOUR opportunity to Cash in
on the Greatest Fight Pictures in
History.
FAST ACTION—DON'T DELAY
WIRE — PHONE — WRITE FOR DATES
— to —
TEXAS-OKLAHOMA COUPON DISTRIBUTING CO.
31214 S. Harwood
FOREST NINE
Phone 2-6691
DALLAS, TEXAS
I'XOrnCE :: February 17, 1940 65

. . . A. D. Garrett of the Joy at Hampton, :
i
'
.:
: February 17, 1940 1
'
,
Consider Having City
Regulate Admissions
New Orleans—Plans looking toward the
regiilation of theatre admissions by the
city council—much the same as barbering
and taxi prices are regulated—are being
discussed by local independents.
The exhibitors contend the need for this
control has been brought about through
the tendency of the United chain to exhibit
occasionally a major first-run feature
at their Lafayette, Strand, or Rio,
houses that customarily charge five and
ten cents for duals without upping the admission.
The independents argue that in
order to make a profit they are compelled
to charge 20 cents for the same film at a
later showing.
Louis-Godoy Fight Film
Offered by Forest Nine
Dallas—The Louis-Godoy fight pictures
are being distributed in this territory by
Forest Nine, through the Texas-Oklahoma
Coupon Distributing Co., Inc., which he
heads. The company headquarters at
312 ''2 S. Harwood.
The reels, showing the 15 rounds, were
screened for the trade here Monday in the
20th-Fox screening room, and were acclaimed
by those present as "the best fight
pictures made."
Adapts "Child of Divorce"
Hollywood—Dalton Trumbo is adapting
"Child of Divorce" for RKO.
Fraud Alleged in Helena
Cash Night Operation
Helena, Ark.—John Oxford, manager
of the Paramount here for Richards-
Lightman, is being held under $500 bond
in connection with alleged fraud in the
operation of Cash Night at the theatre.
He is specifically charged with embezzlement
and obtaining money imder false
pretenses.
Deputy Jolin L. Anderson, who made an
investigation and the arrest, following a
series of complaints, said Oxford had removed
a number of names of registered
patrons to lessen the chances of the
awards being paid out.
M. A. Lightman has placed Roy Hale,
veteran projectionist, in charge of the
Paramount and the Pastime, other R-L
house here.
Engles Sells Share
Batesville, Ark.—Jake Engles, owner
of the Melba, has sold an interest in the
house to Commonwealth Theatres Corp.,
Kansas City. Mo. The new firm took over
management of the house last Monday.
William Headstream will serve as resident
manager.
Change at Gibsland
GiBSLAND. La.—E. A. Goldberg, a former
owner of Goldberg's Film Delivery
System, New Orleans, is now owner and
manager of the Gibsland Theatre.
Ml IE Ml IP IIHII 111 S
PXHIBITORS along the Row this past
week: John Shannon, Shannon, Portageville.
Mo.; Jack Watson, Palace, Tunica,
Miss.; Gordon Lee Hutchins, Corning,
Corning, Ark.; W. P. Ruffin, Ruffin
Amusement Co., Covington, Tenn.; Lyle
Richmond, Missouri, Senath, Mo.; Jolin
Mohrstadt, Missouri, Hayti. Mo.; S. J.
Azar, Lincoln, Greenville, Miss.; M. B.
Hasty, Joy, Dardanelle, Ark.; Leonard
Shea, Shelby, Shelby, Miss.; Charles Collier,
Globe. Shaw, Miss.; George Hale and
C. H. Collier, Globe, Drew, Miss.; B. F.
Jackson, Ruleville, Ruleville, Miss.; Joe
Jones, Ritz, Aberdeen, Miss.; C. N. Eudy.
Ackerman, Ackerman, Miss.; C. M. Mounger.
City, Calhoim City, Miss.
Joe McCorkle is the new manager of the
State in Henderson, Tenn. . . . M. Stephens,
who recently opened the Sherman,
Sherman. Miss., was on the Roto on his
initial booking trip Williain Oiiie,
Monogram's branch
. . .
manager in Cincinnati,
en route to Hot Springs on a belated
vacation, stopped off in Memphis and
spent several hours ivith Bill Osburne,
Monogram's local branch manager.
O. W. McCutheon, who operates the Ritz
and Roxy at Blytheville, Ark. was a recent
visitor ... Bo Clark, who operates the
Rialto and Majestic theatres in EI Dorado,
Ark., and who is having the Arkansas premiere
on "Gone With the Wind," reports
advance reservations have exceeded hisi
greatest expectations. !
It is good to see Jimmy Augustine of the
Normal, Memphis, out agaiii after a boutwith
the flu . . . W. H. Caver jr. of the]
Announcing
The Opening of our Scenic Studios in
MEMPHIS — ATLANTA — BIRMINGHAM
"Complete Stage Equipment"
MEMPHIS SCENIC STUDIOS
H. R. MITCHELL, Mgr.
3971/2 S. Second St. — Memphis, Tenn.
ATLANTA SCENIC STUDIOS
OSCAR J. HOWELL, Mgr.
161 Walton St., N. W. — Atlanta, Ga.
BIRMINGHAM SCENIC STUDIOS
R. T. CLAYTON, Mgr.
Title Guarantee Bldg. — Birmingham, Ala.
We specialize in stage equipment. Let us furnish you sketches, samples
and prices before you buy. Everything fully guaranteed and serviced.
WRITE, WIRE or CALL our nearest office for details.
HUBERT MITCHELL INDUSTRIES
Home Office and Studios
Hartselle, Ala.
Von. Booneville, Miss., was in booking . . .|
Ed Williamson, booker at 20th Century-
Fox, is busy these days getting moved into;
his new home.
Jack Marshall, city manager for Crescent
in Dyersburg, Tenn., was in booking !"
held by local merchants, gave a free show
to the farmers and their families ...
Pilmrow is interested in learning who sent
Herman Chrisman, Columbia's office man- -
ager, a "singing" birthday greeting via;
Western Union signed "Scarlett O'Hara."
;
-;
J. W. Wofford of the Eupora at Eupora,
Miss., ivas on the Row booking this week
after vacationing the last two iveeks in .
Texas . . . H. R. Mitchell, ivho operates the
Linden at Linden, Tenn., has opened the
Memphis Scenic Studio at 397 ",2 S. Second
St. He and his brother Eric ruill handle
stage equipment for theatres and schools.
.
Their headquarters arid manufacturing
'
plant is located at Hartselle, Ala. They are
,
also opening studios in Birmingham, At-
,
lanta and Nashville.
Floyd Schaffer of American Desk Mfg.
Co. is off on a three-week business trip
into the St. Louis territory . . . Bob Conway,
branch manager for National Screen,
has added Miss Margaret Darley and Nelle
Renshaw to his persoimel since the afi
'
filiation with Advertising Accessories, Ine.
]
Bernard Woolner, who loill open Mem-
'
phis' first drive-in theatre in the spring, is
busy getting construction under way and
product lined up.
i
BOXOFFICE :

!
Had
'
the
' play
Dixie D o in s By "Al" Henderson
p. ALIG jr. has sold his Flagler at
Bunnell, Pla., to L. E. Lamboley, who
las taken charge and will be the boss
rem now on.
a short visit with Ellin Creek, who
:ame from Jacksonville ten years ago to
iperate the Casino and the Ritz at Ybor
I'ity, Fla., and that man sure knows his
igars if those hand-made babies he gave
;s are a sample. Thanks, Mr. Creek.
Called by to say hello to Henry Glover
f Republic at Tampa, but found him gone
3 Miami with "Chief" Brjmberg, but was
hown much courtesy by J. E. Thrift, the
ooker who advised us that Ray Corrigan
f Three Mesquiteere fame had been in
jwn and was to make personal appearances
in the state with his troupe. Anther
recent visitor to Tampa was Max
'erhune, also a Mesquiteer.
The Hazel for colored at Plant City,
la., has ceased operations.
The Sparks circuit is remodeling the
apitol at Plant City, Fla., at an estilated
cost of $10,000. They will install
U new equipment in the booth, new seats
nd a new marquee.
The Scenic at Lake Wales, Fla., owned by
immie Raulerson, has installed new RCA
juipment and new seats. Report has it
lat he is about to remodel and open his
elmont at Tampa in the near future.
'
Called on B. E. Gore at Tampa who
aerates the Broadway at Ybor City and
•cently opened the Rialto in Tampa pro-
?r. He recently installed new seats in
:s house. Had the pleasure of meeting
:rs. Gore who was most hospitable.
Watts H. Bracey, formerly assistant
;anager of the Empire for Sparks at Daytona,
has accepted a position with Saenger
and has gone to the Rex at Shreveport, La.
Found something unusual tlie other day
when we called around to see W. B. Small,
city manager for Sparks at New Smyrna,
Fla., and was shown over the house, which
is one of the cleanest and most immaculate
we have ever been in and the unusual thing
was a Bible placed in the ladies' lounge.
Our hat is off to Mr. Small as this is the
only instance we recall where this spiritual
touch was shown in a theatre.
Mrs. D. L. Morrison, who looks after her
Reliance at Clermont, Fla., must hold some
•sort of record as she has been absent from
the boxoffice only two nights in the 16
and one half years that she has been there.
W. P. Neel, assistant manager for Sparks
at Tallahassee, also does the publicity for
the two houses there and says he is worn
out with getting things ready for their
showing of the "Wind" and he managed
to get the cooperation of practically every
merchant in the town. He formerly
owned a theatre at Homewood, Ala., which
is a suburb of Birmingham.
Earl Fain is busy rebuilding his Valerie
at Inverness, Fla., which was destroyed by
fire in December. This will be a completely
new house with all new equipment,
seats, rugs, drapes and marquee. D. M.
Wimbish is the manager.
Sparks new house at Winter Park, Fla.,
soon will be open and ready for business.
This house is conservatively modern and
will be called the Colony. Supervision will
be under Vernon Hunter, city manager at
Orlando, Pla., who is one of the oldtimers
in the Florida territory, having been in
the business all over the state.
the hospitality, Vern.
Thanks for
Visited the following here and there in
Florida: Leonard Bennett of the Ritz at
Ocala; Kay Porter, Temple, Perry and enjoyed
the coffee; Ralph Weir, Arcade, Williston,
who plays tennis for exercise; T. C.
Laird, who is Earl Fain's assistant. Leesburg;
Fred MuUin, Haines City; C. M. Biggers.
Winter Garden, Winter Garden; R.
A. Yockey, Casino, Jacksonville; Paul
Smith, operating a Negro house at Deland;
R. L. Bang, Kingston, Daytona; Gordon
Cooper, Lyric, Dunnellen; J. M. McKinney,
owner of the Princess, Cross City; W. R.
Lynch, Paramount, Miami, and many,
many more of the boys.
Henry Weeks, assistant to W. Howard
Smith, operator of the Dixie at Brooksville,
Fla., tells your roaming correspondent
that Mrs. Weeks is about to present him
with an heir or heiress in the early part
of March. Our best wishes.
Your correspondent came to Florida
looking for sunshine and believe us, we
found it and it was really appreciated after
the cold and ice of the past few weeks
farther north in Dixie. Had a pleasant,
if short visit in Miami, and it took all the
well-known will power to leave that heaven
on earth and head north. We must tiuTi
our proboscis northward in a few days, but
we'll be seeing you and until then, so long.
In "Angel From Texas"
Hollywood—Jane Wyman and Ronald
Reagan, who were married recently, have
been assigned roles in Warner's "An Angel
From Texas." Film goes into production
in a month when the couple returns from
their honeymoon.
Charlie Morrison, an oldtimer, managing
le Ritz at Sanford, Fla., plays a mean
ime of tennis, but says he isn't old enough
golf yet. I think he is bragging
tmewhat as I find golf tough enough.
ust be the celery he eats.
Called around to take a peek at George
:'ilby's drive-in theatre at Jacksonville,
hich is managed by H. F. Denning, forerly
of Atlanta, who says business is
adually increasing. It is known as the
,x Drive-In.
Stopped to see friend Chapin, city man-
;er for Sparks at Lakeland, Fla., and it
most turned out to be a peddler's conntion
with Bud Boudreaux, publicity
an for the circuit working on the
Vind;" Clinton Bolton advance man
orking West Florida on "Pinocchio;"
xh Mclntyre who is a past commander
American Legion but now working
e territory for RCA who tells us that the
'gion state convention wiU be held in
'impa this year and your correspondent
.'t in. Did the bull fly? You guess.
It
—this
IS a Sensation-!
new c^^^r
HIGH INTENSITY
LAMP
When you see it in your OWN THEATRE beside your Low
Intensity lamp, it will be like comparing SUNLIGHT Jo
MOONUGHT.
Lower First Cost — Lower Operating Cost!
NATIONAL THEATRE SUPPLY COMPANY
Dallas, Atlanta, New Orleans, Memphis, Charlotte and Oklahoma City
DXOFFICE
: : February 17, 1940

P A IIL
IIL
JUDGE ROY L. WALKER of Lampasas,
and president of Theatre Owners Protective
Ass'n, spent Monday in Dallas continuing
his activities in opposition to the
Neely bill. He appears in fine shape now,
although he had some sort of attack in Ft.
Worth a few weeks ago which he said was
nothing more than indigestion.
Harry Connors, o-perating the Strand at
Frankston, and incidentally making a success
there lohere others failed, was on the
Row, Tuesday, booking ahead.
Wallace Walthall spent the weekend in
Oklahoma City on deals involving National
Screen trailers and accessories.
On a tour of the central part of the
country, Floyd Garver, president of Garver
Electric Co., Union City, Ind., spent a
few days in Texas this week calling on distributors.
He visited Oklahoma City, tvhich
with Dallas, was the western boundary of
his trip.
Tom B. Reed, Oklahoma City insurance
man, was on the Row visiting with friends
because of his close association with this
business. He handles insurance for Griffith
Amusement Co. there and for the
Griffith employes.
5. G. Fry of Tyler, operating six theatres
in that part of the state, with two there,
spent about a week in Dallas catching up
on his bookings. Incidentally he does the
entire booking job by himself, however
Mrs. Fry, as secretary, lightens the burden
from the executive angle.
G. H. Mercer of the Grove at Shreveport
dropped over to hobnob with friends on
Filmrow. Ordinarily his film business is
done at New Orleans. Mercer, by the
way, was formerly associated with L. N.
(Continued on page 70)
Acquitted Man Seeking
Damages tor Arrest
Oklahoma City—Damages totaling $20,-
000 are being asked in a suit filed in district
court here last week against Paul
Townsend, manager of the Liberty and
Standard theatres. The suit was filed by
Woodrow Wilson Claiborne, who alleged
Townsend was responsible for his "false
imprisonment" on charges of robbing the
Liberty on Dec. 13, 1937.
Tovrasend was robbed of $60 by a man
who beat him over the head and face
with a pistol, then escaped from the second-floor
office by the fire escape.
Claiborne was charged with the robbery
after his arrest July 17, 1939, when he
was found in the Warner at about 1 a. m.
He was acquitted of the charge Sept. 13,
1939. by a district court jury.
Covington Is Acquitted
By County Court Jury
Alpine, Tex.—H. G. Covington, manager
of the Granada here, was acquitted
by a county court jury of a lottery violation
charge in connection with the theatre
stimulator game, "Hollywood."
While Judge R. B. Slight failed to
recommend any action to the jury, the
jury immediately ordered a verdict of not
guilty.
The Granada is one of the O. K. circuit
operated by Oscar Korn of Dallas.
On Required List
Austin—American history professors at
the University of Texas are making "Gone
With the Wind" required "reading" for
class discussion. The picture has been
grossing so heavily a one-week holdover is
assured.
Judge Walker Has an
Answer for Allied
Continued
A New Machine Will
HELP Your Popcorn
Sales.
$01(00 9 W and up
ADVANCE
POPCORN MACHINE
Trade in Your Old
Machine.
HERBER BROTHERS
210 S. HARWOOD DALLAS, TEXAS

',

: February
I
''
Judge Walker Has an
Answer for Allied
Cole Explains Moral
Side of Neely Bill
n A IIL IIL A %
I Continued from page 68)
Crim at Kilgore and through that connection
moved to Shreveport.
(Continued from page 68)
contract with one of the big companies for a
is block of pictures what he going to get. He
knows from his books just what average he can
for pay that company's block of pictures and
come out with a profit at the end of the year.
He knows there will be boxoffice attractions,
program pictures, some westerns and some pictures
he would rather not play. He further
knows that he can pay for these pictures that
he does not want to play, which are always
allocated at a low price, and oft'times in the
end of the season, he can trade out for pictures
in the new contract. This has been a current
practice for years, and before Myers, with his
suit stopped arbitration and the film board of
trade, was a very common practice. The exhibitor
knows he can not run outstanding pictures
every day any more than the baker can sell
cake every day instead of bread. Our business
is different in from any other business that we
is only line" have "one and that pictures. When
we buy a block of pictures we are getting the
line we have to have for our business. When a
orders barrel of merchant a apples he knows
there will be some ^ood. some bad, and some
medium; but that the profit on the good will
make up for the loss on the bad. There is no
business hi.a
that does not have to depend upon
wholesaler's reputation for a block order, and
every line of business must depend upon producers
and the wholesalers, as we do.
This word juggler says, "If selling a number
then wholesaling WILL, BE LAWFUL, and will
continue under the bill." What does he mean?
First he says "one conducting a wholesale busibuying
v-holesale,
etc'
nferi
but
Competition
I do not know just what he is driving
There are
in all
5.000. towns of over and towns less with one
show usually run four or five pictures a week
—and you will see we little fellows usually have
I
to a chance run ALL THE BIG PICTURES.
will admit it is terrible for the "aged and infirm
and juveniles" to have to travel all over
my town looking for my show but if they will
just go three or four blocks from home to the
square and look around, they will be able to see
my lights.
Again he says, "The tact is that the distributors
now sell and lease pictures singly and in
groups less than the entire block whenever it
is to their advantage to do so," and yet he
Bill wants the Neely make them do this, as
to
says, to. he because they refuse "Oh, that mine
enemy write a book!" "We are fortunate that
this of "Moses" the industry wrote his "White
Book" because in following his reasoning we
meet him coming back at every turn.
This reference to single shot selling of road
is shows by him the strongest argument we can
it offer against single picture buying because can
it easily be seen that under we cannot keep
out playing time covered and buy that way.
Mr. Exhibitor, do you want to buy the boxoffice
attractions each year, one at a time—make
a contract for each one and then pick out one
by one your program or mid-week pictures and
one by one the Saturday pictures, and under this
kind of buying try to keep your playing time
filled? I do not.
Sharing the Profits
Now this is fine, but the trouble with the
bill is proponents of the that they want to chisel
in some way and "share the profits" without
making any investment, regardless of how many
small theatre owners they ruin.
Every exhibitor in the business has made money
if he uses his head for anything more than a
hatrack. A system that has. through the efforts
of producers and distributors, brought the
Projectors and Sound for the Largest
and Smallest Theatre
ANo Portable 16 and 3r> mm equipment.
HOLMES PROIECTOR THEATRE
SUPPLY
H.V 3473
1R20 Wyandotte St. Knnms City, Mo.
Dallas— "I did make the statement that
block booking did not force immoral or
obscene films on the exhibitor, as the word
immoral is customarily used, but it does
force many objectionable pictures," Col.
H. A. Cole, national Allied president, declared
this week on his return from the
east. In reference to the Neely bill debate
he had with Felix Jenkins, 20th Century-Fox
attorney, recently at Montclair,
N. J., Cole added that "the moral issue is
a part, but not the only issue involved in
the bm."
Cole said the Montclair PTA invited him
to talk on the affirmative side of the bill
against Jenkins who already was "booked"
to speak before the group. It was merely
an impromptu affair and only the high
points of the bill were touched, he said.
Cole's trip east was in connection with
a new changeable letter sign in which W.
W. Hays and A. W. Lilly of Greenville and
himself are interested, and also on Allied
business. He attended a national director's
meeting in Washington where he was
re-elected president. Cole said he conferred
with department of justice representatives
while in the capital.
Frank Merntt Acquires
Site in Birmingham
Birmingham, Ala. — Purchase of the
building at 2014 Second Ave., north, by
Frank V. Merritt, theatre operator, for
$65,000 has been announced.
The purchased property, with a front
of 25 feet on Second Ave., adjoins the
Royal, owned by Mrs. Marvin Wise, sister
of Mr. Merritt.
fro the din
side street modern wall" to the show- of
today: has permitted me in my town of
that
2.700 give my people the same pictures with
to
the same conveniences in every way, the same
sound equipment used in the big often
cities,
permitting me to run boxoffice attractions ahead
No. Mr. General Counsel,
ngle sug-
gestion for the improvement of the measure has
been offered." because the Neely Bill is a
"bungling and misguided attempt of some selfish
minority to meddle disastrously with a great
of the big town and give all this to my patrons
at half the price that is charged in the big city,
IS NOT WRONG. It may have its weak spots
but it has made money for us and we certainly
are against this legislation and "all legislation"
no way benefit the public and on
the other hand, r
industry." The only remedy that can possibly
it it it be offered for is to kill every time sticks
uji it's slimy head.
Ninety per cent of the theatre owners in Texas
feel they are fully competent to do their own
buying and booking without the help of a government
board. You and your lawsuits put us
the Film Board and we certainly do not wa_nt
you to finish the job with this Neely Bill which
,\ou yourself can not explain.
I appeal to all exhibitors to wake up and help
end this racket that can have hut one end if
the bill is passed— the closing of the small town
BUFFALO COOLING EQUIPMENT
1026 SANTA FE BLDG. BUFFALO ENGINEERING CO., INC. Dallas. Texas
Wallace Walthall, manager of National.
Screen Service, has been busy with the
consolidation of film advertising accessories
of several companies under the National
bamier and with the transfer of
Trailer-Made Service to the National
Screen exchange, which, he says, is now
being made.
Horace Falls, the assistant general manager
of Griffith Amusement Co., Oklahoma
City, with Mrs. Falls, has been spending a
few days in Mineral Wells.
Among other visitors was C. W. Niece,.
Crystal, at Hubbard.
After an extended run with the flu, S. L.'
Oakley, manager of the Dallas office of
Jefferson Amusement Co., is back on the
job. He said this was the first time he
has been off his feet since taking his Dallas
assignment several years ago.
Leslie Wilkes, well-known Texas film
man, is back in town after working for
RKO in the St. Louis territory and a
sojourn up into the New England states,,
then down the Atlantic seaboard intot
Dallas.
R. P. Condron, operating the Star at
Forney, said he was the only Texas exhibi-,
tor who made money during the recent 13
straight days of near zero weather with
ice. He closed the house tight during thatj
time and went visiting in the Rio Grande'
Valley.
Hollis Boren of Memphis drove in Mon^^
day and did business both unth equipment;
'
houses and exchanges.
J, F. Willingham, M-G-M manager in|
Memphis, paid Filmrow a visit this week'
primarily to confer with C. V. Jones of the
R&R Circuit on bookings for the Little
Rock area. Willingham is a former Dallas -
film man and old timers will recall him
as booker and salesman when all film companies
were doing business on Commerce -.
street.
, .^^
V. A. "Buddy" Walker, a partner with ,,
L. M. Threet in the new theatre almost' M
ready to open at College Station, was on
the Roiv this week in connection with that
enterprise. He hails from Norman, Okla..
where he attended OU several years ago.
He has previously operated theatres in east
Texas.
Leroy Bickel, Dallas branch manager for
M-G-M, is steadily improving after hos- ;
pital confinement, dictating letters from
his desk at the DaUas exchange and soon --_
will be out in the territory calling on TexaS'
exhibitors.
L. B. Brown, Regal and Ritz at Gatesville,
and a good fisherman, visited DalUU,
Monday. He said there has been no excitement
in his town, but that you never can
tell.
Mrs. Earl Jones. Brownfield. successfully'
operating the "3 R circuit there"— the
(Continued on page 70 -D)
BOXOFFICE :
17, 1940
^

1
(Continued
'.
Evidently
. . . W.
A T IIL A\ W T A\
from page 69)
Thos. E. Orr, Albertville, Ala.; Mack Jackmi,
Alexander City, Ala.; Mrs. Violet Edvards,
Monticello, Ga.; J. S. Tankersly jr.,
mijay, Ga.: W. R. "Bill" Griffin, Strand,
7ullman. Ala.; L. J. Brown jr.. Dixie. Jackon.
Ga.; Mrs. Willingham Wood, Strand.
Vashington, Ga.; R. D. Page, Maury. Mt.
Heasant, Tenn.; L. C. Worthington.
Brighton, Brighton, Ala.: Nat Williams,
''hoviasville, Ga.; Carl Hutton, Jefferson
".ity, Tenn.; Frank Doivler and so?i Bill,
ram Chattanooga and Knoxville, Tenn.
Willis Davis. L. & J. Theatres, made a
0-minute talk on the "Welcome South
Jrother" program over WSB along the
ines as to what the Variety Club was dong,
on behalf of Wm. K. Jenkins, chief
|arker.
the Albany tornado will not
ssult in cancellation of the world preliere
of "The Biscuit Eater." planned for
arly April. The Albany, where the preliere
icill be held, has opened under emefency
conditions and will stage a relief
?ithin the next two iveeks.
Jimmy Harrison, Wilby-Kincey Theatres,
I
jack from Miami and exhibiting a Florida
an.
1 S. Hackman. of the Dixie Film Exhange,
has just closed a deal for the
imous all-colored cast picture "Keep
mnching." with Henry Armstrong . for key
hns in the colored situations.
Albany, Ga., Sticks
To Premiere Plans
Albany, Ga.—The tornado which last
week left a trail of death and destruction
here and in western Georgia, will not
keep Albany from going through with
the world premiere of Paramount's "The
Biscuit Eater."
This is the word dispatched to Robert
M. Gillham, Paramount advertising and
publicity head, by Adolph Gortatowsky,
local theatre operator. Gillham and "Pete"
Freeman visited here recently working
out tentative plans for the premiere to be
held on or about April 10.
Broadcast for "Biscuit"
Premiere Nearly Ready
Albany, Ga.—Arrangements are said to
be nearing completion for a nationwide
broadcast in connection with the premiere
of Paramount's "The Biscuit Eater" here
in late March or early April.
James O'Shaughnessy
New Orleans—James "Pat" O'Shaughnessy,
personally known to many producers
and stars of note, is dead at the age of 56
years. At the time of his death he was
vice-president and general manager of the
Hotel Roosevelt.
CIHIIAKILOTTIE
J^UCH improved is the condition of J. H.
Holliday, National Theatre Supply
manager, after his return home from the
hospital where he battled a two-week illness
... It is revealed that Larence Terrell,
Paramount exchange cashier, and
Miss Emlene Church of Atlanta have been
married since early January.
Oscar Morgan, southern division manager,
paid the local Paramount branch a
short visit . . . Hal Rosser of Sanford was
a Filmrow visitor . . . RKO screened "Swiss
Family Robinson" for the trade . . . Sympathy
is extended to Bob Sirnril of National
Screen on the death of his mother in
Jacksonville.
.
Wade Yandle has switched his ad sales
job at Paramount for a booking desk there
W. Sharpe of New York was a National
Screen visitor . . . "Gone With the
Wind" blew strongly into the Imperial
after playing two weeks at the Carolina
. . Staging here last week was Edward
Everett Horton in "Springtime for Henry."
Constance Bennett appears March 27 at
the Carolina in "Easy Virtue."
Ross Howard Upped
Oklahoma City—Ross Howard has been
named new ad sales manager at the 20th
Century-Pox exchange here. He succeeds
Don Walil, recently promoted to ad sales
manager of the 20th-Pox exchange at
Memphis.
John J. Mangham, Monogram Southern,
1 a visit to Miami where he will join W.
W Johnston, president of Monogram,
ad Eddie Golden, sales manager.
Art Barry, city manager of Lucas &
•nkins Theatres. MacoJi, Ga., in town on
le of his very rare visits.
Milton C. Moore, Riverside, Jacksonville,
a., and Mrs. Moore in town for a few
outhern Publishers View
'olumbia Short on Cotton
Atlanta— "Threads of a Nation," a Combia
single reeler that presents the
iportance of cotton in everyday life, was
reened Sunday. February 4. before the
)Uthern Newspaper Publishers Ass'n, that
nvened at the Biltmore Hotel.
The film, in natural color, was produced
V B. K. Blake, with the commentary pro-
",ded
by Basil Ruysdael, radio announcer.
HAVE YOU SEEN
The
New International
CHALLENGER CHAIR
Low in first cost — Low upkeep cost
All steel upholstered back — 20 coil spring secrt.
Regardless of what chair you consider buying look
at our samples and get our new low prices first.
FOUL ODORS 1
Are Unnecessary
The KOZONO eliminates ALL
odors electrically and PURI-
FIES the air. Hundreds used
throughout the nation by theday
for catalogue and conv
Ing proofs. Agents wanted
The Kozono Co.
IJ3-B Trade St., Charlotte, ?
to-
"Everything for the theatre except film"
321 S. Church, CHARLOTTE
Phone 8620
150 Walton St., ATLANTA
Phone WALnut 4613
I'XOFFICE :: February 17, 1940 70-A

. . "His
also held for three weeks.
]
. . Jos- (
j
,
j
jtl);
§ A M T O W IE
\A7ALLACE BEERY, piloting his own
plane, was an overnight visitor here
at Stinson Field last Tuesday week. He
was en route from New Orleans to the
west coast . . . Benjamin Hill, exploiteer,
was also a recent visitor in the Alamo City
. . . Interstate has booked two special
Paramount pictures for showing here
shortly— "The Light That Failed" and
"Remember the Night."
"Uncle Henry" Bergman. Texas Theatre
manager, renewed acquaintances backstage
at the Majestic here with Collins and
Peterson, double emcees ]or the Jane
Withers show last week. The pair talked
over old times when they trouped together
on the "big time" with Bergman and
Clark . . . Benno Kusenberger, the projectionist,
turned in an 84 to qualify for the
pro-amateur Texas Open.
The main draw at the Majestic this week
is Blackstone, the magician, with "Everything
Happens at Night" on the sUver
screen . . . Plans are afoot here to bring
Paul Muni from Hollywood in April to
portray the role of Juarez for the opening
ceremonies of "La Villita,"
Lawrence Tibbett, baritone, broke an alltime
encore record when he recently appeared
at the Municipal Auditorium; he
was called back 14 times, thus setti7ig a
new record here on the legit stage . . .
Among the acts being held over at the Joy,
include the Truex Twins, "Lolita," and Syd
Winters, dancing comedian. Sidney is one
of the oldest actors on the burlesque-tabloid
stage today, and still going strong.
The body of M. M. Feildman, 62, prominent
midwestern theatre operator, who
died in an ambulance while being rushed
to a San Antonio Hospital from Karnes
City for medical treatment, was sent to
Chicago for burial. He was owner of the
Langley Theatre in Chicago and show
house investor for 20 years. Feildman had
been visiting his niece, Mrs. Eugene Roth,
whose husband is president and general
manager of Radio Station KONO here.
The Aztec team won their second
straight game in the newly-formed Theatre
Basketball League last Monday night
a week ago by defeating the Texas Theatre
cagers, 23 to 20, at the Woodlawn Lake
gym. On Wednesday night, the Majestic
defeated the Empire by a score of 29 to 19.
Gauntley led the winners with 12 points
while Ehlers rang up the same for the
losers. The State having a bye that week.
Recent visitors included: At Azteca Film
office. Jack Pickens jr., Rialto, New Braunfels;
at Independent Film Supply Co., a
Mrs. Goodwin of Goodwin's Tentshow, now
touring the south Texas territory.
During Jane Withers recent stage appearance
at the Majestic, the young starlet
gave auxiy a Scottie puppy to the local lassie
who looked the most like the impish
little film actress. The dog toas from the
Nickerson Kennels here . . . Among the
honorary titles and commissions given Jane
when she was in town were: Two keys to
the city; a deputy sheriff of Bexar County;
membership in the famous Jefferson
High School Lasso Girls squad, and she
was also made a "Good Egg" in the local
Boys Club.
With the resignation of I. W. Martin as
warehouse manager for Interstate here, a
Mr. Rittenhouse, formerly of Chicago, succeeds
him in that capacity.
'•GWTW" is packing them in at the'
Texas, matinees and nights. From all inii- .
cations, the picture will be held a second
week in order to accommodate the many
who have not as yet seen the production.
R. W. Barron of the Independent Film
Exchange and Supply Co., now has on display
a sample of the keen theatre wall
lighting fixtures. These lamps are made by
Tommy Whales of the Cascade in Boerne,
and retail at a nominal sum.
Carl Milentz of Houston is in town and
plans to construct an all-Negro theatre
building in the 600 block on East Commerce
Street here. Cost price and seating
capacity has not as yet been learned.
Ground is expected to be broken most any
day now.
OKIILA. C1IT¥
J^ORRIS LOEWENSTEIN, operator of
the Majestic, secretary of the
MPTOA, president Theatre Owners of
Oklahoma, etc., will have another title
during the last two weeks of February.,
He's been called to county court jury duty.
Rosalee McKenna, billing stenographer
\
at the Republic exchange here, has gone
,
to Kansas City for a new job with an insurance
company there. Erma Cantrell,
formerly in the Griffith office as a stenographer,
has been added to the office
staff of Republic here to take Miss Mc- ,
Kerina's place.
\
Pauline Jolinson, secretary to Standard
Theatres Manager Walter B. Shuttee, is
ill with the flu . . . Charles Mohler has;
been named new manager of the State at,
Pawhuska, Okla., replacing Roy Wellman.
j
The State is a Southwestern house.
j
:
,
John Brown, manager of the Mozack,
Springfield, Mo.. Southwestern house, has
undergone a major operation and is convalescing
W. P. Moran of Southwestern
. . . Theatres here has been named
chairman of the entertainment committee
of the Variety club. Tent 22, Oklahoma
City.
\
"Gone With the Wind" really set somej
kind or another of a record here, pulling
some $45,000 or better in its two weeks
downtown run at the Midwest. It now is
in its third week at the suburban deluxe
Tower . Girl Friday," at the State,
^
An Annual Miami Celebration—
70-B
When employes of Paramount Enterprises, Inc., foregathered at the Columbus
Hotel in Miami for their annual buffet supper at which yearly bonuses
are awarded, the cameraman caught Austin Moon of the Colony, youngest
manager of the circuit, exchanging greetings with Mrs. Walter Early, wife
of the veteran theatreman of the area. Early, manager of the Roxy. is seen
standing at the opposite end of the table.
Standing behind the center table from left to right are George Hoover, manager
of the Sheridan; W. R. Lynch, general manager of the organization and
host, and Charles McCue, publisher of the Paramount Theatre News. On Mrs.
Early's left is Rollin K. Stonebrook. manager of the Paramount. The other
two managers at the table are Daniel Boone, just beyond Stonebrook. and Al
Weiss jr., manager of the Olympia, on the right side of the table.
Jarrell Rhea has been named manager
of the Elk at Elk City. Okla. .
ephine Foster, inspectress at the 20th-Fox
exchange, is ill with pneumonia.
Jack Smith Leases Odeon
Shawnee. Okla.—Jack Smith, former
partner in the State at Pawhuska, has
leased the Odeon here from A. B. Momand.
Polishes "School Days"
Hollywood—Idwal Jones is polishing
"Tom Brown's School Days" for Producers
Gene Towne and Graham Baker.
i|
BOXOFnCE : : February 17, 1940

1'
holdovers
: February
IHIOU^TOM
gATHARINE CORNELL, appearing here
in "No Time for Comedy" at the Music
iall, again refused an offer of screen
vork, this time by Rouben Mamoulian,
vho flew liere from Hollywood to contact
ler. She listened courteously, refused
;ently, like this, "I feel there is a definite
ilace for me on the stage: I cannot feel
ihat way about the screen."
Joe McDonald, manager of the Tower,
n Interstate suburban, says no short reel
^ithin vionths equals ''Drunk Driving" for
nteresting industries of this section. Many
usiness men have seen the film and send
>ieir employes to see it ... A special chil-
,ren's matinee February 24 at the Tower
lilt feature George Washiiigton's birthay,
both on the screen and on the stage.
Russell Rindy, manager of the Easttood,
another Interstate suburban, is back
t his post after eight days, but minus
. . is tonsils Ellis Ford, Alabama manger,
is battling the flu, and Weldon
Blondie" Parsons, publicity director for
iterstate suburbans, is back at his desk
fter a 10-day siege with flu . . . Bill Bell,
Cajestic publicity director, is back at
ork after a six-week illness.
The ticket sales record at the State
lys "Gone With the Wind" will hold a
fird stanza. City dignitaries still are remembering
opening night . . . Students
we their blessings to an eight-act vodvil
II for a tveekend stand at the Stude
. . Ray
heatre. operated by Bob Glass .
mes is holding "The Fighting 69th' for
second amusement-dollar battle.
Bids are due this week on Interstate's
';w suburban house isee last week's issue
•r details), making it eight in the suburbs
r the chain . . . "Mr. Smith" is doing
?ht well for himself here. A. C. Driver
!ld the film an extra day at the Delman
inusual for a neighborhood) and Ray
ay of the North Main made it a couple
for the Frank Capra opus.
The Kirby goes to a three-change-ioeeki
policy for the next few months . . .
dna W. Saunders, local theatrical promoter,
is peeling the bankroll deeply. Alrady
set is the Sail Carlo Opera Co. and
te road version of "On Borrowed Time"
.. . Other fleshy news concerns Interiite's
plans to put George White's "Scands"
in the Music Hall, to be followed
1th Edward Everett Horton in "Springtne
for Henry" and Katharine Hepburn
i "Philadelphia Story" . . . After they
rig up the trapdoors and dust out the
iparitions, left by Blackstone, a Major
hws unit takes over the Metropolitan
Eddie Bremer, manager of the Kirby
Ed an active Rotarian, recently covered
t; club tables with literature against the
lely bill. The Houston Post, morning
tivspaper, ran a strong editorial concnning
the bill.
To the Skies—
Manager Austin Moon of the Colony
at Miami Beach heralds his theatre's
current bill and star by means of a
captive blimp, let aloft above the
house.
GriHiths Buy Vincent's
Theatre at Hominey
HoMiNEY, Okla.—Griffith has purchased
the Pettit here from Fred Vincent.
Griffith already operates the Ritz here.
Coy McCullough, manager of the Ritz, will
also have charge of the Pettit.
Circuit Will Build Anew
At Bartlesville
Oklahoma City—A new de luxe theatre
will be constructed at Bartlesville, Okla.,
to replace the Odeon, recently destroyed
by fire, the Griffith chain aimounced.
Corgan and Moore are to be the architects.
Circuit officials also have announced
that Lew Chatham, who has been with
Griffith-Dickinson Theatres at Kansas
City, will take over direction of the Bartlesville
houses immediately. The houses
were purchased last month from the Berryman
brothers.
Griiiith Unit in Seminole
Seminole, Okla.—Griffith has opened
its new Seminole here, with Foster Lyman,
city manager, in charge.
Art Films and Foreign
Product to Get Trial
Birmingham, Ala.—A "Finer Films
Forum" will be inaugurated here by the
Strand February 22 with the showing of
"The Moonlight Sonata," starring Jan
Paderewski. A. B. Covey, manager, said
preliminary plans call for a five-week
showing of these pictures which, because
of their nature, have only a limited appeal.
Whether the plan is then continued
will depend on the response.
QARL PRESLEY, owner of the Dixie,
Huntsville. which was destroyed by fire
recently, announces that he has started
construction of a new house and plans
to spend about $6,000 in the new establishment.
The plans caU for completion
of the new theatre in the early spring.
Curby A. Smith, father of Curby A.
Smith jr.. manager of the Rialto. Morrilton,
died recently at the family home.
Little Rock. He is survived by his widow,
Mrs. Myrtle V. Smith and three daughters.
"Gone With the Wind" will be shown
at the Pulaski, Uttle Rock, Sunday,
February 25 . . . Little Rock's "Miss Seventeen,"
Carolyn Monrotus. winner in the
contest sponsored by the Robb & Rowley
theatres and Paramount Pictures, left Friday
morning for Kansas City, where she
joined 17 other girls from 17 cities, all
bound for Hollywood.
Miss Darace McMurry and Hoiuard L.
Dean were married Sunday, January 28,
at the home of the bride's sister at Camden.
Dean, formerly of Houston, Tex., is
ArkaTisas representative for Paramount
Pictures. He is a graduate of Southern
Methodist
University.
Ruth Jane Mixon is the new secretary to
W. R. Lee of Batesville, who owns the Gem
in Heber Springs and the Lee in Mountain
View.
A U ^ T III
M
CICK LIST: Bill Heliums, skipper of the
Capitol: Perd Sebastian, engineer at
the Paramount: Burton Denman, Capitol
usher. It must be the weather . . .
Charles
Mladenka, Varsity usher, spent the weekend
in Houston.
All local Interstate houses are promoting
the sale of Theatre Coupon Books

. . Van
"The Birth of a Nation
Chcking Despite Cold
Atlanta— The Birth of a Nation,"
which opened at the Emory on Sunday,
January 28. was held over twice to recordbreaking
boxoffice business in spite of the
very bad weather in Atlanta.
Many deals are now pending for the picture
throughout the southeastern states
which is being released by the Dixie Film
Exchange of Atlanta.
B^IIL IL
(Continued from page 70
A S
Rialto, Rio and Ritz—was booking Monday
on the Row . Chamberlain of Fi-eer.
Mirando City and Benavides was a visitor
on the Row—and had a definite plan as
to his spring campaign.
Van Roberts of Tyler, one of the up-andcoming
young publicists of the Interstate
Circuit, was in town for a day, checking up
with his advertising correspondents in
Dallas.
Lauretta Neal. one of the former glamour
girls of National Screen Service, and
now the featured vocalist with Carol Lofner's
Band, was seen on the Row swapping
stories with her former girl
friends.
Wally Nass of National Screen has found
time to be a star in local basketball, and is
proudly sporting a gold basket ball (miniature)
on his watch fob as the outstanding
guard of the League. He was selected as
All-star guard out of the entire personnel
of the teams from Austin, Houston, Dallas
and Oklahoma City. Mebbe Wally is7i't so
good, but he's taller than his opponents—
measuring six feet three inches ringside!
Louise Burton is the latest bride at National
Screen Service. She married W. L.
Morning last Saturday.
"Marie" Harper, the pride of National
Screen's switchboard, is back on the job
after a serious illness. And is everybody
happy? Capn! Yessuh!
Paul Short has his calendar fiUed. His
main job at National Screen always keeps
him busy. With the addition of the small
accessories from Paramount, RKO and
Universal, he had to double his energetic
efforts—and on top of that, he is the
"main spring" of the Variety Clubs national
convention in April. Since Paul is
the kind of a lad that will not neglect
ANY job or ANY part of it, he's a busy
boy!
Ed Brady Sr. Scores as Golfer
San Benito, Tex.—Ed Brady sr., city
manager for Texas-Consolidated Theatres
here, made a nice showing in the playoff
of the Texas open golf tournament held
recently in the Alamo City. His son, Ed jr.,
withdrew before the final day.
Community in Comfort Closed
Comfort, Tex.—The Community is closed
and its former skipper, William Rau, has
returned to San Antonio to reside.
70-D
Sound System Ad Libs
Ada, Okla.—Patrons of a local theatre
sat tensely in their seats as the crucial
moment of the feature picture arrived one
night last week. The hero's mother was
lying at the point of death. The hero,
grief-stricken, was wringing his hands.
Suddenly from the screen boomed a deep
voice
"Calling car No. 2. Calling car No. 2.
Go to the comer of Main and Mississippi
and investigate a collision. That is all.
KNHC, Ada police, signing off."
On the screen, a nurse came from the
sick room, put her finger to her lips, and
"Sh-h-h."
.said
Operator Pi-emont Williams explained
that one of the tubes in the theatre's ampifier
acted as a detector tube in picking
up the police short wave broadcast.
Indignation in Houston
Over Lunt Broadside
Houston — Indignation over Alfred
Lunt's broadside at Houston in an interview
in Portland, Ore., has been pretty
outspoken among theatre fans here where
the Lunts in April, 1939, played to four
packed houses and made themselves favorites.
Lunt, in an interview at the coast city,
said the leading Houston hotel was "full
of drunks" when Lunt and Fontanne
played here New Year's Eve and they had
to go to "a place at the edge of town" because
the hotel would not take their "nice
mannered little dog—a lady daclishund
named Elsa."
The actor evidently forgot, local critics
point out, that the Rice Hotel downtown
also refused Elsa in 1939, and the Lunts
knew the rule; also they did not make
allowances for the date iNew Year's Eve),
when they noted a drunk or so; and third,
say the critics, the place on the edge of
town is the elite Plaza, a place where the
Lvuits were very happy in 1939 and which
most guests prefer to the downtown commercial
hotels.
Hubert Roussel wrote in the Post:
"To cut it short, if you would like my
analysis of Mr. Lunt's remarks, they mean
he is just sore because Houston didn't go
to see his show ('Taming of the Shrew'
played on New Year's Eve). It is a poor
way to recruit an audience next time."
Hudgens Sells
Perkins, Okla.—Charles Hudgens has
sold his Lyric here, a 300-seat house, to
W. J. Morton, who also operates theatres
at Jay, Disney and Oilton.
Dunbar Hearing Date
February 26
Dallas—Through error in transmitting
news to BOXOFFICE the date of hearing
ol the Dunbar damage suit against
Interstate Circuit et al. as given in
issue of February 10, was incorrect.
The Dunbar case is docketed to be
heard before Judge W. H. Atwell's federal
court in Dallas on February 26.
Atlanta Funeral Rites
For Willard Patterson
Atlanta—Theatrical figures from all
parts of the southeast attended funeral
services here this week for Willard C. Patterson,
for many years prominent in the
theatre field in this territory.
Onetime southeastern district manager
for the Paramount-Publix theatres, Patterson
more recently had been an executive
of the Warner chain with headquarters
in New York. A native of Georgia,
he started in the theatre field here, at one
time being treasurer of the old Forsyth
Theatre, working with the late Hugh Cardoza.
He later formed an association with
Sig Samuels and managed the Metropolitan
before joining Publix.
Death came to Patterson in Palm
Springs, Calif., after a long illness. He
is survived by his wife, Anna Aiken Patterson,
for 16 years editor and publisher of
the Weekly Film Review here before its
consolidation with Boxoffice in 1930.
"Dark Command" Release
Plans Top Sales Meet
Atlanta—Highlighting the district sales
meeting for Republic franchise holders was
distribution plans for the company's high
budget picture "The Dark Command,"
which stars John Wayne and Claire Trevor
and is directed by Raoul Walsh.
Present at the confab were Herbert
Yates, chairman of the board; James R.
Grainger, vice-president and general sales
manager; Arthur C. Bromberg, president
of Republic Pictures of the Southeast; Carl
Floyd. Atlanta; "Cy" Dillon, Charlotte;
W. L. Snelson, Memphis; Henry Glover,
Tampa; L. V. Seichsnaydre, New Orleans,
and Perry Spencer, director of publicity.
Kansas City. Mo., was considered as a
probable site for the world premiere of
"The Dark Command" with Atlanta, New
Orleans, Miami, Charlotte and Memphis
to
follow.
Dixie Plans Dallas Unit
Atlanta—Expansion plans for the Dixie
Film Exchange includes the opening of offices
in Dallas as well as other spots soon.
Dixie will release a series of eight all-colored
cast pictures to be produced by Jed
Buell who made "Harlem on the Prairie."
NTS Announces Sales
Oklahoma City—The National Theatre
Supply Co. offices here have announced
the following sales for last week: New
projectors to Harry Holt for his Aixadia
at Maud, Okla. Complete new carpeting
to Crawford Spearman for his Bronco at,
Edmond, Okla. New sound to Ralph Talbot
for his Ritz at Tulsa.
To Rebuild Cozy
Stroud, Okla.—Mayor Louis Barton will
rebuild the Cozy, destroyed by fire a few
days ago. The house was built about four
months ago.
Smason Operating the Karnes
Karnes City, Tex.—The Karnes is now
under the direction of David Smason, former
Chicago showman.
BOXOFFICE ; ; February 17, 1940

Sask. MPEA Averts
Hike in Licenses
Regina, Sask. — Success greeted the
prompt efforts of the executive of the Saskatchewan
Motion Picture Exhibitors Ass'n
to forestall any reported effort to increase
the tax against motion picture theatres of
the province through changing the manner
of taxation. The executive was assured
by Hon. E. M. Culliton, provincial
secretary, there would be no changes at the
cun-ent sittings of the legislature.
Rumors that the government was planning
to change the present method of licensing
theatres from a flat rate per house
to one based on the number of seats
brought about the executive's hurried
move. W. P. Mahon, Prince Albert, headed
the group of theatremen.
Beaver House in London
Canadian Soldiers' Club
Toronto—The formal opening of Beaver
House in London, England, by Their
Majesties King George and Queen Elizabeth
as a club for Canadian soldiers overseas
was announced at the annual meeting
of the Toronto branch of the Canadian
Red Cross Society. Supervisor of
Beaver House is H. J. Sweatman, manager
of the Community at Kapuskasing, Ont.,
who proceeded to England two months ago
to take charge of organization plans.
Sweatman served in a similar capacity for
the Canadian Expeditionary Force in the
Great War.
first
Among those elected to the executive
of the Toronto Red Cross were Col. John
A. Cooper, president of the Motion Picture
Distributors of Canada and also national
film commissioner of the Dominion government;
Mrs. N. L. Nathanson, wife of
the president of Famous Players Canadian
Corp., and Mrs. J. Earl Lawson, wife
of the member of Parliament for South
York and corporation counsel for several
Canadian film companies.
Oificials Aid Legion's
Fund Raising Action
Montreal—Helping the Canadian Legion
campaign to raise funds for war services,
Hon. Norman Rogers, minister of defense
and Hon. Charles G. Power, postmastergeneral,
appeared personally in a motion
picture short now being shown in theatres
throughout Canada. The film, entitled
"Help Plan His Tomorrow, Today,"
was produced by Associated Screen News
in its Montreal studios, and shows a cross
section of the youth of Canada enlisting
and training for overseas. It gives glimpses
of educational and recreational facilities.
indicating how the money will be used.
Both English and French versions were
made. Rogers speaking in the English one
and Power in the French. Theatre owners
are cooperating in showing the picture
throughout the campaign.
"Pago Pago" to Werker
Hollywood—Alfred Werker will direct
Pago Pago" for Edward Small.
Dog Days Reach
Saskatoon
Saskatoon—When a special perlormance
lor children oi "Gulliver's Travels"
was given at the Capitol here, the
ushers had to battle with 40 dogs accompanying
the children. The dogs
could scarcely be kept out and hung
around waiting ior their youthlul proprietors.
A dog pound or park might
be useful near a theatre.
British Wage Increase
Swings on Tax Cut
London, Eng.—The chances of a wage
increase for film employe groups hinges
largely upon the success of the Cinematograph
Exhibitors Ass'n in securing a reduction
or elimination of the entertainment
tax, it becomes apparent here.
While expressing sympathy with the desires
of employes, the CEA told a committee
that its members would be unable to
pass the additional cost on to the public
unless they could secure a remission of the
entertainment impost. The employe committee
asked an increase of 121/2 per cent,
directing the request to the London CEA
branch.
National aspects of the subject are being
considered, with the possibility of approaches
to the government on the tax
matter.
Coincidentally, employes of transport
firms are demanding an increase of 15 per
cent in wages, and a CEA committee is
studying that subject with hopes for a
compromise agreement.
Act to Facilitate Trade
With Mother Country
Toronto—Designed to facilitate trade
with Great Britain and to stimulate the
sale of British products in the Dominion,
the Canadian Importers Ass'n has recommended
to the federal government that
customs duties on items imported from
the United Kingdom be removed as a wartime
measure. This was decided at a meeting
of the association in Toronto.
The provision was made that the exemption
from tariff charges be applied on
products of a class or kind not produced
in Canada and included under this classification
are British film features of which
approximately 40 are brought from the
Mother Country in a year. The suggestion
will come before the government following
the general elections on March 26.
Would Curtail Holidays
Saskatchewan—Requests of the Retail
Merchants Association to the city council
for changes in the present civic holidays
have Regina theatremen alert. The
merchants would have the present yearround
Wednesday half-holidays eliminated
in October, November and December and
the Saturday night closing cut to July and
August only instead of including June.
Film Pioneers Club
Outlines Policies
Toronto — Following a preliminary
luncheon at the Royal York Hotel when a
committee was named for the organization
of the Canadian Film Pioneers Club, a
meeting was held to discuss the constitution
and policies of the club with Chairman
Clair Hague presiding, the conference
being held in the Film Exchange Bldg. in
conjunction with a screening of "My Little
Chickadee."
Applications for membership have been
received from many parts of the Dominion,
the restriction being that prospective
members must have been identified with
the film business for at least 25 years. To
date two oldtimers with a record of 39
years have been listed, these being Clair
Hague, Universal representative in Canada,
and Ben Cronk, manager of the display
department for the big chain and formerly
supervisor with the Aliens. The
long-distance champion, however, is
Charlie Stephenson, manager of the Century,
Kitchener, Ont., who started at the
Bijou in Toronto back in 1897 when the
ultra attraction was Queen 'Victoria's
Incidentally, Clair Hague started
Jubilee.
with the Fontaine-Manley Carnival Shows
at Sarnia when pictures were presented
in a tent.
Among the film distributors in the organizing
committee are H. M. Masters,
general manager, United Artists Corp.;
Louis Rosenfeld, Columbia Pictures of Canada;
J. P. O'Loghlin, 20th Century-Fox
Corp.; L. M. Devaney, RKO Distributing
Corp. of Canada; O. Hanson, Empire-Universal,
and Clair Hague.
The theatre veterans on the provisional
committee include Charlie Stephenson
of Kitchener; Fred Pursel, Lyric, Simcoe,
Ont.; Jake Smith, Revue and Tecumseh
theatres, Toronto; Ben Cronk, Famous
Players art department; Herb Allen of the
Allen circuit; Sam Sternberg of B&F
Theatres, and the following: Ed Wells,
secretary of the Canadian Film Boards of
Trade; Syd Taube of Canadian Automatic
Confections, and Ray Lewis.
A number of the Canadian veterans are
already members of the Pioneers Club in
the states, these including Hague; J. J.
Pitzgibbons, vice-president of Famous
Players; Louis Rosenfeld and Jules and J.
J. Allen who made their theatre start in
Calgary, later putting Brantford, Ont., on
the map as an early cinema center.
J6mm Films Are Adopted
By the Canadian Army
Toronto—The Canadian Army has
adopted the 16mm film for screen entertainment
purposes both in Europe and
Canada because of the compactness of the
projection machines and the reels. As a
result, a sudden demand has been made
for a supply of the latest prints through
the Canadian Legion War Services, a cooperative
body which is looking after
recreational features.
Features which have not yet played the
theatres are being provided in 16mm size
because of the rush.
BOXOFFICE
; : February 17. 1940 71

. . Wedding
: February
T S. HODDETT has been appointed manager
of the Community, Kapuskasing,
Ont., in the absence of H. J. Sweatman,
who has become manager of Beaver House
of London, England, the recreational center
for Canadian troops. Sweatman was
appointed to this position for the duration
of the war.
With "Gone With the Wind" playing an
extended run at Loew's. features ichich
would ordinarily play that theatre under
the M-G-M franchise have been transferred
to the Uptown, ace Toronto house
of the Famous Players chain. "Balalaika"
was held over at the Uptoum and is being
followed there by "/ Take This Woman,"
according to announcement by Manager
Fred Trebilcock.
Al Sedgwick, manager of the Belsize,
Toronto, has retired as president of the
Mount Pleasant Business Men's Ass'n but
continues as a committee chairman. Annual
reports showed a highly successful
year under the direction of Sedgwick.
. .
George Oulahan, formerly with Empire-Universal,
has become Ontario branch
manager of Sterling Film Distributors.
Ltd., Toronto, handling l^nim product .
Intimation is forthcoming that, because
of the war, there will be 7io national managers'
conference this year of Famous
Players Canadian Corp. Regional meetings
will probably he held during the coming
summer.
"Blue Bird" looms as the special attraction
among Canadian theatres for Easter
Week, following the restricting observance
of Lent. A number of theatres
are understood to be making a strenuous
bid for the production.
The house record for the Eglinton, Toronto,
has been broken ivith the lengthy
run of "A Girl Must Live" which has already
occupied a period of seven weeks,
compared with six and one-half weeks for
"The Lady Vanishes" last year, and Manager
Bob Eves is all smiles.
Manager Bill Trudell featured London's
annual winter fair in the lobby and foyer
of the Capitol during the past week, the
exhibits including automobile, wallpaper,
washing machine, radio, motorcycle, furniture,
motor boat and other displays, with
prize-winning coupons being distributed
from a booth. Film attractions during the
week included "The Amazing Mr. Williams,"
"The Roaring Twenties" and the
documentary feature, "The Warning."
Trudell secured cooperative pages in the
local newspapers.
Harvey Hunt, booker at Famous Players
head office, is the latest to have a siege
of sickness but is now back at his desk—
giving the managers what they want iJi
the way of features.
Sam Firestone, owner of the Esquire and
Aster theatres. Toronto, actually declared
that he was waiting until the weather became
warmer before he takes his annual
trip to Florida. Jake Smith, veteran proprietor
of the Revue and Tecumseh theatres,
Toronto, will team up with him for
the trip, it is expected. Sam XJlster, owner
ir o 1 T o
of the Embassy, has also developed a severe
case of Florida Fever and plans to
leave shortly.
A. W. Perry has recovered from his illness
and is back at his post as general
manager of Empire-Universal Films, Ltd.
This company booked the Joe Louis-Arturo
Godoy fight film for Canada, which
proved to be one of the most colorful pictures
of this type.
Abe Rappaport, owner of the Hollywood,
Campbellford, was missing from Toronto
fUm offices for several weeks and it was
ascertained that he had been snowbound
bells rang the other day for
Joe Merino of the Pickford, Toronto.
Hoivard Eager, one of the Hagers of
Hagersville, ivas a business caller at a
number of the exchanges in Toronto. An
exhibitor loho had not been seen in some
time was M. T. Craig of the Majestic,
Dresden, and the Palace at Ridgetown.
R. T. Stewart, veteran head of the Lyric,
Hamilton, appeared on the scene during
a stormy stretch and helped the film salesmen
from getting lonely.
C. B. Howard of Sherbrooke has been
appointed a member of the Canadian
Senate which means he will adorn the
Upper Chamber for life. He is in the
theatre business, along with other interests.
He treasures a fountain pen which
he loaned to the British Monarchs during
the Royal Tour last spring, the official
gold-mounted pens having been left
devoid of ink.
J. Frank Willis loas appointed official
Canadian observer with the March of Time
unit luhich has been preparing a release
on Canada's war effort to be ready late
in March.
The Ontario government is seeking cooperation
of theatres in encouraging tourist
trade from the United States this year,
J^ENT has laid its heavy hand on theatres
of Quebec province, few of which
escape its depressing influence on attendance.
Lenten fare, nevertheless, is attractive.
"Gone With the Wind" is announced
for Loew's at increased prices, following
"The Light That Failed." The Palace has
"His Girl Friday:" the Capitol, "Destry
Rides Again:" the Princess, "British Intelligence,"
and the Orpheum, "Slightly
Honorable"—its second week.
The consul for France and the British
trade commissioner were amongst invited
guests who attended a preview of "France
Is Ready" at His Majesty's— A Mexican
film, "The Wave." was shown in Y. M. H. A.
Auditorium, arid a Yiddish film, "Mirele
Efros." at the Mount Royal Theatre.
Whereas only a dozen cinemas were open
in the French capital a few weeks ago, it
is reported here that Paris now has 85
motion picture theatres open, as well as
45 cabarets and music halls.
particularly in view of the fact that there
will be no amusement tax to bother the
visitors.
After a two-week, run of "Of Mice and
Men," Manager Lloyd Mills of the Elgin,
Ottaiva, temporarily changed the policy of
the house to double bills starting with
"Blondie Brings Up Baby" and "Those
High Grey Walls."
Moise Oysher, featured in the Jewish
musical film, "Overture to Glory," which,
has been having a special run at the
College Playhouse, Toronto, is a wellknown
Canadian cantor.
Manager Vern Hudson of the Avalon,
Ottawa, still finds it impossible to give
away $500 in cash, this is the Foto-Nite
prise which has been dangling for a number
of weeks. For the last prise stunt night
Hudson added four acts of vaudeville.
Typical of war days are the features and
shorts which have been playing Ottawa.
Simultaneously the Imperial had "Double
Crime in the Maginot Line:" the Regent
offered "The Warning," British propaganda
film, and the Elgin added the March
of Time release, "Republic of Finland."
Incidentally, Manager Bob Maynard of the
Cartier cancelled his screen program for
one whole evening to play a vaudeville
show.
The Bedford Park Businessmen's Ass'n
filled the Bedford in north Toronto for
a midnight show, supervised by Manager
W. G. Hunt, when more than 200 prizes,
donated by local merchants, were distributed
among lucky ticket holders.
A crowded meeting of the Toronto Amateur
Movie Club witnessed the screening
of a film of the scuttling of the Graf Spee
which had been secured through T. E
Bowman, an official of the Ontario government.
Several scenic shorts were alsc
shown.
Hoyland Bettinger, industrialist, ivhc
abandoned manufacturing to follow hi;\
hobby of color cinematography, exhibitec
here a color film of Mayan Life in Guatemala
and another taken in Quebec provvince
showing Gaspe seabirds and ivilc
flowers.
Larry Stephens, manager of the Snowdon
Theatre of the United Amusemen
chain, was host to members of Snowdoi
Businessmen's Ass'n at a midnight oys
ter
party in the theatre.
Theatre interest is attached to the re
cent wedding of Winifred Gertrude Dris\
coll to Reginald H. Balfour. The bride i
a daughter of George F. Driscoll, man;
years manager of His Majesty's Theatre
and later vice-president and managinc
director of Trans-Canada Theatres. Ltd'
which purchased the interests of the lat
Ambrose Small.
W. J. Singleton, general sales manage
of Associated Screen News, has retm-nei
from a business trip to New York,
72 BOXOFFICE :
17, 194'

According to gossip. Wells. B. C, is to
a new theatre and Levi Graham.
operating the Strand at Prince George, is
mentioned as the probable ormier, though
an unnamed man in Quesnel is also men-
tioned.
i
'
1
Violet
i
to
iir S. WESTERN is making improvements
the sound equipment in his theaj
tre,
:
have
I
fice,
, tary
I
cording
'
tive
, ,
. . . Management
YANCOIUVIER 30th Ontario House gA^K'WAl
the Oliver, at WilUams Lake, B. C.
F. G. E. Stevens is back from his holiday
in California and is again in the Lux private
office with his partner Bill Brown .
Arthur Grayburn, manager of Independent
Booking and Buying circuit, is away on a
well-earned vacation.
Ralph Calladine. Columbia and Plaza
theatres. Victoria, left with his wife for a
motor trip through Washington. Oregon
and California.
Owen Bird of the Paramount staff was
a devotee of table tennis in the old country
and so enthused Pilmrow over that
sport, that the P. R. Board of Trade persuaded
the landlord to turn the old projection
room into a recreation room, with
emphasis on the above game. A table
tennis club has been formed and will hold
its first meeting this week.
Changes in the staff of Universal Empire
have led to Fred Sto7ie taking over
the salesman's desk and Don Findlay that
of
booker.
Bedford, who for a period was the
I
sole occupant of the Grand National of-
has succeeded Mrs. Knowles as secreto
Charles Ramage, M-G-M manager.
License Administrator
Joins Ranks in Sask.
Recina Sask.—A member of the Saskatchewan
government and the minister
under whose jurisdiction lies operation and
licensing of theatres of the province. Hon.
E. M. CuUiton. provincial secretary, has
been appointed a second lieutenant in the
Royal Canadian Army Service Corps, acto
an announcement of Brigadier
C. B, Russell, D. S. O., officer commanding
military district No. 12.
Culliton is attached to the second railhead
supply detachment. He enlisted November
15 but promised his confreres in
the government he would not leave for ac-
service until after the current sittings
of the Saskatchewan legislature. He is the
third member of the legislature to join in
active service.
Rex Theatres, Ltd. Forms
London, Ont., Company
London, Ont.—Rex Theatres. Ltd., has
been incorporated as a London company to
operate theatres in Ontario. A lease already
has been signed for the Rex on tlie
Hamilton road here.
Men not previously in the theatrical
business are reported to be taking a leading
part in organizing the new company,
but origin of the capital is being kept secret
until formal announcement has been made.
The only names used so far are those of a
lawyer and his staff, listed as provisional
directors.
To Premier Corp.
London, Ont,—The Premier Operating
Corp. has taken over its 30th theatre in
Ontario with the announcement by Albert
Glazer, supervising engineer of the company,
that it will commence to operate the
Maitland in Ingersoll, 18 miles east of
London.
Premier recently started erection of the
Strand at Tillsonburg, and since has added
to its chain theatres at Simcoe, Delhi and
Aylmer. All those places are small southwestern
Ontario towTis.
Albert Simpson, who has been manager
of the Hollywood, Toronto, will be the
resident manager at Ingersoll. Installation
of an air conditioning and cooling
system and other improvements are being
planned.
"Wind" Strong in Third
Week at Toronto Loew's
Toronto— "Gone With the Wind" now
is in its third week at Loew's for its Canadian
premiere at advanced prices and
the gross for the second week equalled the
take for the first six days, indicating
continued capacity houses.
Three other cities of eastern Canada
have been lined up for engagements under
the reserved seat policy, the feature
having opened at the Regent, Ottawa, on
February 16 and being currently readied
for Loew's, Montreal, and the Capitol,
Hamilton, Ont. All but Toronto Loew's are
Famous Players units and it is expected
that chain houses in London, Windsor,
Quebec City, Kingston, Halifax and St.
John will be among those which will play
the picture this year.
Distinguished Audience
Sees "Louise" Showing
Toronto—In the presence of a distinguished
audience in the Eaton Auditorium,
the French operatic feature, "Louise,"
and a program of French documentary
shorts showing Prance at war were presented
for their first Toronto run under
the auspices of L'AIliance Prancaise de Toronto,
the proceeds being turned over to
the French Red Cross Society.
The patrons included His Honor the
Lieut. -Governor of Ontario and Mrs. Albert
Matthews; Comte Robert de Dampierre,
French Minister to Canada; President
H. J. Cody of the University of Toronto
and Mi-s. Cody; Mr. Justice H.
Chevrier of the Supreme Court; Chairman
Norman Sommerville of the Canadian Red
Cross and many other citizens of note.
Adamson With GN
Vancouver—Willard Adamson is the new
western manager of Grand National, a
post he has taken, following his dual position
as booker for Universal and salesman
for Empire.
J^ANAGER CHARLES BAHRYNOWSKI
of the Metropolitan, Regina, was summoned
east to his home at Port Arthur.
Ont,, where his mother was near death
last
week.
Theatres throughout Canada playing
"Judge Hardy and Son" got good free advertising
through the tieup by the Imperial
Life Assurance Co. who ran a large 500-
line ad on the opening day in each city the
picture played, referring to the companionship
between fathers and sons a7id their
appreciation of life insurance. Local theatres
got mention in the tie-in.
Because many American films show
people enjoying cocktails in swanky bars
—or enough of them have that Canadians
just take such scenes for granted—it has
apparently given a few of the more out-
•spoken hotel men the opportunity they
wanted to attack the liquor laws in most
Canadian provinces, as driving away U. S.
tourist trade. In most Canadian provinces
liquors are prohibited sale in hotels. Only
in Quebec is this not true.
Though the drama was being played
publicly in another hall later in the week,
a special performance of "Penny Wise"
was staged in the Grand, motion picture
house, for benefit of U7iits of the Canadian
army in training at Regina. The affair was
staged through cooperation of Manager
Otis Boices.
H. A. Bercovich, manager of the Rex,
Regina, has gone to Winnipeg on business
of the Roxy. Saskatoon,
grabbed some good word-of-mouth publicity
and newspaper space when Magistrate
J. T. Leger, as French consul, and
military authorities attended a special
showing of "France Is Ready."
William Joseph Hatton. 62, a resident of
Saskatoon for more than 30 years, died
following a long illness. He ivas operator at
the Roxy and before that was long employed
with the old Empire.
Among the first subscriptions announced
for the first Canadian war loan—which
was oversubscribed within a few days following
an intensive motion picture, newspaper
and radio campaign—were the
Dionne Quintuplets. Their guardians invested
$20,000 of their money in bonds.
It was 30 below zero in Saskatoon when
the Tivoli played Deanna Durbin in "First
Love" but crowds came just the same.
Which prompted the management to use
additional newspaper space to boast the
cold couldn't keep crowds away.
Ruth Draper Nets $18,000
For Canadian Red Cross
Regina. Sask.—George Garette. manager
for Ruth Draper, announced that the wellknown
impersonator had netted $18,000
for the Canadian Red Cross in her cross-
Canada tour. She went on tour as a gesture
in aid of the war service society, taking
only expenses and no salary. She was
supported at each stopping point by local
Red Cross units.
BOXOFFICE
: : February 17, 1940 73

: February
\
i
Laurie Launches a
Brokerage Firm
Toronto—After an association of 30
years with the film exhibition and exchange
business in the Dominion, A. J.
"Archie" Laurie lias organized his own enterprise,
Laurie Theatres, Ltd., with offices
in the Film Exchange Bldg., following his
resignation as assistant general sales manager
of Empire-Universal Films, with
which company he had been identified
since its inception six years ago.
Laurie made his start as manager of the
Vitascope, Montreal, in 1910 after which
he managed the Canada. Moulin Rouge
and Midway theatres in that city, then
joining N. L. Nathanson in Paramount
Theatres, Toronto, the forerunner of Famous
Players Canadian Corp. He was
with the Strand, Ottawa: Alhambra, Toronto;
Regent, Oshawa: Algoma, Sault Ste.
Marie: Lyric, Kitchener, and Pantages, Toronto,
after which he became identified
with film distribution joining L. Ernest
Ouimet in Specialty Film Import, pioneer
Canadian distributor for Pathe, and going
to Regal Films when the latter acquired
the Ouimet interests. For a period. Laurie
was Montreal branch manager for Canadian
Educational Films which was absorbed
by Empire.
Laurie Theatres will engage in theatre
brokerage and as a film booking and general
service bureau with one department
devoted to the handling of premiums.
Laurie recently spent several weeks in
Florida for a rest and toured a number
of American cities to arrange for the
handling of various agencies.
CAILCGIARY
QLAIRE APPEL, who made an airplane
trip of the Dominion from Halifax to
Vancouver to arrange exploitation for
"GWTW" at Canadian key cities, struck
enow clouds after leaving Winnipeg and
the plane detoured to Edmonton. He arrived
in Calgai-y traveling by bus, causing
a delay of one day. On his return from the
coast, Appel picked up his daughter, Mrs,
Nat Taylor, and her young son, who accompanied
him on his return flight east.
Mrs. Taylor is the wife of the local RKO
manager.
Maurice Colhourne, loho gave the theatre
in Canada such a blast in the N. Y.
Times, would have been envious of the
near-capacity house draivn by Ruth Draper.
A one-woman show xvith no sets, props
or supporting cast, this American actress
got an enthusiastic reception at $2 top. the
same scale that brought a thin house to
Colbourne here, two weeks earlier.
J. B. Baron of the Grand went to Winnipeg
to complete arrangements for renovating
and equipping the Walker in the
Manitoba capital, which he has leased
from the Peg city council.
Bunny Goldin of the Kinema is on leave
of absence. He is spending a iveek in Winnipeg,
and Jack Cooperband comes from
his house in British Columbia to pinch-hit
at the westend suburban house.
Two days delay in arrival of reserved
seat tickets from Toronto whetted the appetite
of fans for the premiere of "Gone
With the Wind."
Troops Entertained
Toronto—One of the gala events of
the season for troops in training at Exhibition
Camp here was the entertainment
in the Music Hall organized by Jack
Arthur, district manager of Famous Players
and an outstanding Canadian producer
for many years. The program, under
the title of "House of Variety," was
heard over the coast-to-coast network of
Ski Sport a Film Subject
Montreal—A locally made motion picture
is being presented at the Princess this
week where the Canadian Pacific Railways'
"Ski-Time in the Laurentians," is
being shown. The film was produced by the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. and was
the Associated Screen News and directed
by John R. McDougall.
featured by this method in barracks across
the Dominion.
WillMM II
THE METROPOLITAN is to present "The
Democratic Way," a film which originally
was made to be presented to King
George VI on his visit here last year. The
film goes back to the year 1914 and includes
shots of holders of war medals and
veterans on parade. Don Gauld has effected
a tieup with the Independent Order
of Daughters of the Empire which will net
him visits from various veterans' organizations
in the city.
Harold Bishop reports a strong advance
seat sale at the Capitol for his showing
next week of "Gone With the Wind."
Formulation of some definite policy at
the Playhouse seems still to be in the
making. While the house has been showing
oldtimers for the past few weeks, this
week's feature is a first run, "School for
Husbands." Quizz shows and contests are
PEG
rounding out the bill.
"Balalaika." at the Capitol, luas tied up
by Harold Bishop through the medium of
letters to the Women's Music Club and
advertisements in Fred M. Gee's popular
Celebrity Series program in which Nelson
Eddy, star of the film, is soo7i to make
a personal appearance.
H. Sabblut lias been honorably discharged
from His Majesty's forces and now
is with Grand National in Winnipeg . . .
H. A. Bercovich of the Rex, Regina. is in
the city.
Troop Pictures Hypo
Newsreel Interest
Regina, Sask.—Newsreels have become
mighty vital to all theatres in Saskatchewan
within the past two months. The
more recent issues have shown plenty of
pictures of the Canadian troops "somewhere
in Great Britain" and, as almost
every hamlet, town and city now has units
well sprinkled with their men, audiences
hopefully throng every showing in the
chance of seeing father, son or boy friend
"over there."
Added interest on the part of everyone is
whipped up by the weekly radio broadcasts
from Britain through cooperation of the
British Broadcasting Company and Canadian
Broadcasting Corp. Many theatres,
even in the cities that previously got along
well without newsreels, have had to add
them now. The major theatres, as a result,
have taken to using airmail in getting
prints as fast as possible. Almost any
time someone recognizes the pictured personality
or group shown it means a line or
two in the local paper when some proud
parent or friend phones the editor.
V lie TO KM A
HLAN BROWN, director, and Richard
Maedler and William C. Zubiller, cameraman,
all representatives of "March of
Time" spent a few days here filming the
part that Victoria is playing in Canada's
war effort from the standpoint of naval,
military and air organizations.
"The Great Victor Herbert" and the
J
March of Time special. "Can Stalin Help, I
Hitler." ivas held over for three days at
the Capitol.
"Assassin of Youth" which showed at the
huana cigarettes, received the hearty en-|
dorsement of women's clubs and educa-. i
tional groups in Victoria, many of which
attended the picture in groups.
The "Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo" icas
met with great enthusiasm when it played'
at the Royal Victoria (F-P) Theatre. The
fact that Ian Gibson, one of the main
'.
dancers was a local boy until joining thel
group caused much interest and gained^
considerable -publicity in local newspapers
[
"British Intelligence," which showed at
the Dominion, was a topical picture foi
Victoria, due to the large number of soldiers,
sailors, and members of the air force
which are stationed in and around the city
"Torpedo Raider" loas held over at thi.
F. H. Kershaw and Mrs. Kershaw have Plaza due to the large crowds that were
returned from their holiday trip . . . Dave demanding to see the picture which showet
Copelan, Columbia general manager, is a British cruisers fighting tvith a Germar
visitor here , . . J. B. Barron of Calgary, battleship in South American loaters. Tlu
who recently negotiated a lease for the picture had a particular appeal to th<
reopening of the Walker, is in Winnipeg. British and Canadian sailors in the city.
Ruth Draper in her character sketch^
was well received at the Royal Victoria
After completing her show, Ruth Drape
turned over the proceeds to the Red Cros,
Society.
74 BOXOFFICE :
17, 194'

'
c
iMiWiiWJiOaganB^s^/^iQ\/LQW5
o O o -C
3 cn "
p -"^D g ^ O O
I
o-S.S^^ §«^
j3 3 :z: ~
O D a;i o
J
'
2Q.oiB^
o 2^^
o
-. a ,
?J t. O JH
o" to
o ^
a^ESSBSjsi
^ .i3 ^ 8 1) S ^
Sx ai;Sj:3 D-^ Dig'
H „ " S ^_g_
o oj D o jj
^ a-^
•b -s -f, o
_§u„D^^w
bs|!l^B
BB.o

;
0,^.2-
; D
,
—
I
Ilxploitif25m MJ4AiM>'MlJi.l=m^J«aMJl.»lil:»JB^JtCTg
S
s
-1-
.2; o
j^ p.
5 c °0
a D w -
O c j« ^'
5 5-3
t, o
-^ o E
c .5 o —
c
6 -SO
o
B 6
= "2^1 3'
^ = o. p.
= ^ c S
-i: S c
TI
^
^ 8
s-S
O 3 D 0) <
) — 0) o "
CI
— DO)
> 8 OS
„, c ., n '-'
.So. gfi: ^-£
^- 2-1 ^- £ o„
g
i-5 >
S £" O S ^"^ (D.2
~ D D „ "3i> 2 2
&2 8=;2'a.
-2
ar~a2SSg&0
|i!t6'io|
D O
• 3 2
,U.2
S'' ;/; S 0, ^
XI
'^5 a
c
—
"c a;
o t;
£ <
o c c a-3 .Q D
i-^||.EE^^
;~0no.2crS^
Bg:s S"
g-goO-Cdjcf.
o s s .2 T,
-s o g c> 8
iX.S a°j3J3.

Foreign Language Features
I Condottieri
Esperia Films) F 89 Min.
Historical Drama. The historical beginings
of a united Italy are the basis of this
talian production. It is set in the time of
18 Borgias and Medicis and relies on intriue
of a Machiavellian nature for its drama.
ut in another sense, it offers Luis Trener_he
calls himself Luigi in the credits
-as an early prototype of II Duce. It
!ems certain that he was selected for his
^semblance. Many of his mannerisms
little ave to the imagination. Contained
I this story are battles on a grand scale
id a great deal of authentic, early Florenne
background. The Italian army was
ressed into service for the crowd scenes,
creditably performed, but the editing
is
haphazard. It seems strictly for the
jdience that knows the country and
leaks the language.
uis Trenker, Loris Gizzi, Carla Sveva.
Ethel Maggi. Laura Nucci, Sandra Dani.
Last Desire
Transatlantic Fihnsi
80 Mill.
Drama. With the realistic treatment that
le French accord their films, this proiction
is superlatively performed, but
imiliar drama. Raimu and Jacqueline
elubac, two of the finest artists in France,
lact a version of Liam O'Flaherty's novel,
vir. Gilhooley," which the distributor has
ibtitled "A story of guilt and passion."
hat it is, famUiarly enough. It is the old
ory of the love of an old man for a
)ung woman. Picked up on the streets,
18 goes to live with Raimu. She later
Us him that she will try to love him, but
lat her heart belongs to a former love
ho has disappeared. In between her fits
attempted unfaithfulness and the opwing
temperament of the old man she
•adually sets the stage for her murder.
Raimu, Jacqueline Delubac, PierrcBrasseur,
Tramel, Alice Tissot.
SOS MediteTTanean
redis Films) F 81 Min.
Drama. A good story of human values is
fered in this French production. But the
uidling might have been better. As an
fering for the right type of house it is
jtable and should do fairly well. The
enario, with that dash of "being differit."
tells of the combined efforts of three
itions, through their naval officers, to
m down a smuggler of a highly poisonous
is barred from regular transportation
lannels by international treaty. The setng
is the Mediterranean and is wholly
aritime. Shore locations are Tangiers
Id Toulon. The chief point is the friendip
and cooperation of a French captain
Id German and English lieutenants. Reible
elements of suspense and camara-
•rie are worked in as they aid a trapped
ssel.
erre Fresnay, Rolf Wanka, Kim Peacock,
Nadine Vogel, Jean-Claude DeBully.
They Wanted Peace
(Amkhio) A 73 Min.
Historical Drama. Joe Stalin must have
smiled warmly on this latest Soviet film to
play here. Not only does it concern himself,
Lenin, the Kerensky government and
its eventual overthrow but it also has as
characters in a romantic thread a couple
of Georgian soldiers. Stalin is a Georgian.
Here he is presented as the editor
of "Pravda" and consort of Lenin during
the dark days when the Bolsheviks were
preparing to oust the Kerensky adherents
and French and German influences. The
is print grainy, but it serves well enough
in the telling of the story. It is done in
the typical Russian style, plenty of extras,
battle scenes and concentration on the
human element in the ranks. Stalin and
Lenin are capably played by actors. The
romance lifts it above the usual standard.
Russophobes should like it.
F. Bagashvili, Tamara Makarova, A. Smirnova.
K. Miuffko, M. Gelovani.
Ultimatum
U. H. Hoffberg Prod.) A 73 Min.
Drama. Here is a spy story, built around
the event that precipitated the last war. It
packs moving drama and sympathy for its
protagonists. They are really decent people,
in this French film made the victims
of the Austro-Serbian incident. The action
is slow moving but has the engrossing
qualities of a game of chess played by experts.
The Danube River separates Austrian
and Serbian cities. They have enjoyed
peace. When the ultimatum is issued
personal feelings are forgotten and
the military order takes over, ruthlessly
breaking human ties. This is told through
the events that befall a young officer and
his wife. There is a real human note in the
role and performance of Eric Von Stroheim
as a commandant. Directed by Robert
Wiene.
Eric Von Stroheim, Dita Parlo, Bernard
Laneret, Abel Jacquin, Georges Rollin.
Life on the Hortobagy
(Eureka Prod.) A
78 Min.
Semi-Documentary. Life among the
horse and cattle breeders on the plains of
Central Hungary is depicted in this film.
Supplementing the documentary narrative
is a story of romance between a young
couple held by custom. It is acted, feebly,
by natives. The language is Hungarian.
There are English titles. The approach to
the subject is realistic and has the unabashed
frankness of barnyard virility and
clinical aspects of animal husbandry. Included
in the documentation are scenes of
mating and the birth of a foal. The continuity
depicts activity on the plam from
dawn to dusk. The filming was done with
emphasis on the earthy quality of the people
and their way of living. Taken as a
real life episode it has many honest virtues
and presents them in that way. But there
will be different schools of thought on just
what portions of it can be shown.
YOUR GRACIOUS HOST
FROM COAST TO COAST

"The £.xkll*ltot 4/ei 4/ii Sa
Columbia
Gnard
Coast
Fine Friday-Saturday action show to slightly
better than average business. This has a good
story. Weather: Fair. Admission: 25-15. General
patronage.
—Arthur E. Phifield,
Population: 2.600.
Park, So. Berwick.
Capacity: 340.
Me.
Fugitive
This c l"t chase them out nor does it drag
them in •11 bet after you've seen it that you
for 24 hours. Will do on the
bottom of a double bill. Wed., Thurs. Admis-
.sion: 25-10.
1,200. Capacity:
Small
300.—Allan
town patronage.
Banks,
Population:
Vogue, Rem-
Think title scared them away. All
good. Needs to be sold in order to do business.
Sun.. Men. Weather: Fair. Admission: 25-15.
General patronage. Population: 2,600. Capacity:
340.—.\rthur E. Phifield, Park, So. Berwick, Me.
Hidden Power
A long way from the pictures Jack Holt used
to make. Very boring and uninteresting. A good
to Fri., one skip. Sat. Admission: 25-10. Small
Capacity: 300.
town patronage. Population: 1,200.
— Allan Banks, Vogue. Remsen, la.
First National
An open forum for exhibitor comment.
Please address communications
and requests for report blanks to THE
EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY. Boxof-
FicE, 4804 E. 9th St., Kansas City, Mo.
IJano Kiel. The
Very much below the border stuff. Heavy Spanish
accent, lacking in action, will not please the
western fans but will appeal to .some of the ladies.
Just a filler on a week date. Doubled it with
"Hidden Power." another weak sister. Fri., Sat.
Admi.ssion: 25-10. Small town patronage. Population:
1.200. Capacity: 300.—Allan Banks. Vogue.
Remsen. la.
Our Neighbors—The Carters
A family type picture slightly on the sticky
side, will but please most patrons. Ok for week
days but not strong enough for Sunday. Wed..
Thurs. Admission: 25-10. Small town patronage.
Population: 1.200. Capacity: 300.— .Allan Banks,
la.
Vogue. Remsen.
What
Top enterti
Pleased 10
1. photography
so it must be a swell show.
Tues. Admission: 25-10. Small town
1.200. patronage. Population: Capacity: 300.—
Allan Banks, Vogue, Remsen, la.
On Your Toes
Didn't please 50 per cent. A good one to pass
up. Business about 60 per cent normal. Sun..
1,200.
Mon.. Tues. Admission: 25-10. Small town patronage.
Population: Capacity: 300.—Allan
Banks, Vogue, Remsen. la.
Return of Dr. X
A horror type picture, very well done. Scared
a lot of kids and some grownups. Not very well
ked. Too gruesome for general trade. Business
slightly below normal. Fri.. Sat. Admission: 25-
patronage. Population: 1.200. Capacity:
10. Small town
300.— .Allan Banks. Vogue. Remsen. la.
MetTO-Goldwyn-Mayer
picture itself was very good. Some patrons
t swallow the fact that Mr. Rooney could
could!
e a show of such lavishness for $2S7.50.
ne loves Judy Garland in this neighborhood.
_ „._ picture fared well, although my competition
had "GWTW." Sun.. Mon.. Tues. Weather: Cold.
Admission: 25-10.
lation: 330.000. Capacity:
Neighborhood patronage.
579.—Lewis A. Williams.
Popu-
Granada. Denver, Colo.
San Francisco
this Picked reissue up and considering zero
weather and snow did exceptionally well. Pleased
100 cent. per Mon., Tues. Admission: 25-10. General
Capacity: 250.
patronage. Population: 900. — R. W. Graff, Graff, Onaga, Kas.
Wizard of Oz
Very good photography but failed to draw.
Pleased all the children but very few adults.
Wed., Thurs. Weather: Cold. Admi.ssion: 26-10.
General patronage. Population: 900. Capacity;
250.—R. W. Graff, Graff, Onaga, Kas.
Paramount
IJeau Geste
Plenty of action and drama. Pleased our patronage
100 per cent. Sun., Mon. Weather: Cold.
Admission: 25-10.
900. Capacity: 250.—R.
General patronage.
W. Graff, Graff,
Population:
Onaga,
Kulldog Drummond's Secret Police
This series is fine for small situations. Plenty
of action and suspense. Fri., Sat. Weather: Cold.
Admission: 20-10. Neighborhood patronage. Population:
175,000. Capacity: 400.—Alyce Cornell,
Galewood, Grand Rapids, Mich.
Dispnted Passage
Did not do business. Evidently the title lacks
pulling power. Based on the story by the same
name this Is a fine picture and those who come
In will like it. Sun., Mon., Tues, Weather: Cold.
Admission: 25-10. Rural patronage. Population: 700.
—W. D. Rasmu.ssen. Tivoll. LeRoy. Minn.

I
the
'
wily
I
Republic
I That
I
from
I
of murdering dacoits and an interesting
assortment of lethal devices. Eventual
world domination is his aim. The first
installment shows excellent promise. Prom
opening sequence to the fadeout there
is no lack of deadly purpose, thrills or
vivid action. The characterizations are
fitting. It is easy to venture the guess
when the drums on the sound track
that,
roll their tune, the audience will make
notes on their theatre-going calendar to
come and hear them for the duration of
the serial. The cast offers Henry Brandon
in the title role; William Royle as
Nayland Smith; Gloria Franklin, Olaf
Hytten, Luana Walters and George Cleve-
all minor players who acquit them-
f
land,
',
selves
?hott ^ulfJQCt /^Qvleu^5,
Drums of Fu Manchu
(15 Part Serial I
1st Chapter 30 Mins.
slick boxoffice attraction hailing
the Orient makes another appearance.
Here he is out to dominate Asia. To
gain this end, Dr. Fu Manchu uses all his
tricks, weird scientific devices, a pack
ably.
Men and Dust
Garrison Film 16 ',2 Mi7is.
At the junction of Kansas, Missoui-i and
Oklahoma there is an area which is mined
for lead and zinc. The section recently
made the headlines when it was revealed
a large number of the workers contracted
silicosis in the mines and lead poisoning
in the mills. Briefly, living conditions of
these people are almost unbelievable. In
some of the towns, there is no running
water and it is delivered in trucks. By
no means is this film a pleasant subject.
As a documentary, it will realize its greatest
value by casting the spotlight on another
blot on the domestic scene. As a
subject for theatres, exhibitors can guide
themselves accordingly from experiences
with their patrons if screen material of
this type has proven acceptaKe. Photography
by Sheldon Dick is often graphic
and eloquent. The narration, divided
among four voices, would be more effective
if it were handled by one individual.
The Heckler
Columbia 17 '/a Miris.
Charley Chase loud mouthedly makes
his appearance at a baseball game and
tells off the players, umpires and spectators.
He gets on their collective nerves
with his constant inane gags, movements
and actions. At length, he is framed into
ruining a game, which he does not. Good,
substantial comedy that will go over easily.
Edgar Runs Again
20th Century-Fox (Terry-Toons) 7 Mins.
A fair-to-middling cartoon about a race
horse that once was a champ. The horse
meets up with a kindly junk dealer. Pollowing
a number of assorted incidents, the
horse returns to the track and wins the
big
race.
€HORT

Selling SecLt5
Ameiican Legion Night as
"69th" Debuts in Albany
Albany—An extended and diversified
campaign for "The Fighting 69th" paid
dividends in smash business at Warner's
Strand.
Exploitation, arranged by District Manager
Charles A. Smakwitz, Publicity Director
J. E. Curley and House Manager
Andrew Roy, started while Jimmy Cagney
and Pat O'Brien were heading to New York
for the opening at the Strand there. It
reached a peak in a local 'Wednesday premiere
designated American Legion night.
For this, the Warner management had as
guests Lieut. Gov. Charles Poletti, Atty.
Gen. John J. Bennett, a former state commander
of the Legion, and ranking officers
of National Guard and adjutant general's
office. They broadcast from the
lobby, over WABY. Legion officials, in
Albany for an annual dinner and meeting,
also attended.
The crack Fort Cralo Legion band from
Rensselaer paraded through one of the
main streets to the theatre and gave a
concert in the lobby as well as in the auditorium.
Patronage at subsequent performances
was particularly good, the week's
gross being one of the best the Strand
hung up in recent months. A preview for
representatives of all veterans' organizations
was held in the Warner Theatres
zone office.
Legion Corps Parades for
Film in Louisville
Louisville—The management of the
Mary Anderson brought the local American
Legion drum and bugle corps out in
full dress here for the opening of "The
Fighting 69th." The outfit paraded in
front of the theatre and then rendered
some patriotic numbers from the stage.
Special School Matinee
Held for "Hunchback"
Henderson, Ky.—A special Tuesday
matinee for the county consolidated schools
in the surrounding towns was promoted
by Manager Leon Pickle of the Kentucky
for "Hunchback of Notre Dame." The
show was held the third day of the attraction,
starting at noon, the usual opening
time being at 1:45.
In advance of the showing Pickle wrote
various English and literature teachers advising
them the show would be held only
in the event the attendance warranted it.
Also 100 Photoplay Guides were mailed to
the teachers in order to acquaint them
with the film. Many expressed their appreciation
on receiving the booklets and
asked to be sent literature on other outstanding
attractions, offering to cooperate
on other early matinees.
Pickie believes the goodwill between
teachers and students was worth as much
as the increase of business.
Blond ContestmMmMMMMmMMmm:KMM:tMMMMmL*lM.VmTtn
When "Blondie Brings Up Baby" was
set into the United Artists in Los Angeles,
Dave Martin, manager, and Earl
Jones, his assistant, held a male blond
popularity contest. The doorman. Bill
Crowell, won in a walk when the
public reached the boiling point. Even
the cops on the beat voted, per the
above.
Paramount Air Selling
Program Under Way
New York—The program of advance air
exploitation set up by Robert M. Gillham,
director of Paramount advertising and pub-
pOCKET BOOK, INC., publishers of
popular priced paper editions, has arranged
with Warner to publish a special
edition of Paul DeKruif's "Microbe Hunters"
under the title of "Dr. Ehrlich's Magic
Bullet."
With snow on the ground and the temperature
18 above, Manager Jack W. Fretwell,
manager of the State, Harrisonburg,
Va., hired a man in white linen suit and
straw hat for a special street stunt in his
campaign on "Ninotchka." The man carried
a sign with the following copy: "Don't
laugh at me, wait till you see Garbo in
'Ninotchka.'
For "The Cat and the Canary," Manager
Phil Manis of the Model, Philadelphia,
almost scared people into the theatre. He
had a replica of a coffin built which was
placed in the lobby a week in advance, and
the day the picture opened, the coffin was
moved to the front of the house.
Manager F. Kenny of the Cosmo, Chicago,
has started the "Shadow Club" in
conjunction with the showing of the serial.
A file of 500 children is kept on hand
and checked for regular attendance. A
box of Cracker Jack is given to the children
if they attend five consecutive serials
licity, for pictures on the spring schedule
is in full swing.
and each week names of ten members are
The air selling began when Ronald Colman
and Ida Lupino appeared on a na-
drawn on the stage and axcarded passes.
tional broadcast of the Good News program
as a plug for "Tlie Light That Failed."
Charles Laughton and Elsa Lanchester
appeared on the Lux program Monday
in scenes from "Sidewalks of London."
Jackie Cooper and Betty Field, co-stars
in "Seventeen," appeared on the Vox Pop
program Thursday. Betty Field appears
again Sunday on the Pursuit of Happiness
show.
Bing Crosby will start introduction on
February 22 of songs from "Road to Singapore,"
in which he appears with Bob
Hope and Dorothy Lamour. Two broadcasts
on this film will follow, one by
Crosby on March 15 and the other on the
Bob Hope show March 19.
Other films to be accorded the air selling
treatment:
"Dr. Cyclops," "The Biscuit Eater,"
"Typhoon," "Palms of Paradise," "Buck
Benny Rides Again," "Those Were the
Days" (formerly titled "At Good Old Siwash"),
and "Untamed."
Admits Promoted Students Free
Houston—The River Oaks, neighborhood
house operated by Interstate here, is offering
free admissions to local high and
grade school students promoted during the
present term. Students merely present report
cards at the boxoffice. Offer is good
for one week.
Lou Schaefer of the Paramount in New
Haven distributed 20,000 heralds house to
house on planted "Geronimo," 300 onesheets,
broadcast on and WELL
WBRY
and gave the schools 300 study guides.
•
Pictures taken of passersby were used
by Loew-Poli Hartford houses to sell "Little
Old New York." The pictures were
mounted on a board in front of the house.
Each person who identified himself received
a guest ticket to the show.
•
In Victoria, B. C, the Capitol arranged
a special lobby display of two nine-foot
high silhouette figures of "The Thin Man"
and 14 window displays ranging from tieups
on men's and ladies' clothing to a
special display in the pet shop windows
featuring wire-haired terriers. During the
showing of "Another Thin Man" the silhouette
figures were placed outside the
theatre.
Nautical Display
New Haven—Charlie Gaudino, student
assistant at the Loew-Poli, concocted a
lobby display of antique boats, wheels,
anchors, bells, etc., for "Little Old New
York."
BOXOmCE :
: February 17. 1940

"WIND" SCORES SURGING SUMS ACROSS NATION
BOSTON
Fenway—toronimo! (Para): Nieht of Nights
(Para)
Memorial—Green Hell (Univ) ; CharUe Mc-
Carthy, Detective (Unlv)
Metropolitan—FiBhtinp 69th (FN); High
School (20th-Fox). 2nd wk
Orphcum—Gone With the Wind (M-G-M),
7th
Paramount—Same as Fenway
State—Shop Around the Corner (M-G-M);
Congo Malsle (M-G-M)
CHICAGO
Apollo—Slightly Honornble (UA)
Chicago—The Fighting 69th (FN), 2nd wk..
moved to Roosevelt for 3rd loop wk., plus
stage show
Garrlck—The Earl of Chlcaeo (M-G-M), held
2nd
Oriental—Gone With the Wind (M-G-M), held
3rd wk
Palace—My Little Chickadee (Unlv). held
2nd wk
Roosevelt-Invisible Stripes (WB)
State-Lake—Blondle Brings Vp Baby (Col),
United Artists—Judge Hardy and Son (M-G-M)
2nd wk
World-Playhouse—The Mad Empress (FN)..
CINCINNATI
Albee—Remember the Night (Para)
Capitol—Gone With the Wind (M-G-M),
7th wk., held
Keith's—His Girl Friday (Col), 2nd wk
Lyric—Geronlmo! (Para)
Palace—I Take This Woman (M-G-M), held...
Shubert—Congo Maisie (M-G-M), plus stage
AVERAGE IS 100%
Top Hits of the Week
CLEVELAND
Allen—His Girl Friday (Col). 2nd wk
Hippodrome—The Fighting 69th (FN)
Palace— Brother Rat and a Baby (WB). Stage:
Johnny (Scat) Davis, Beverly Roberts and
2nd wk 700
DALLAS
Capitol—British IntelUgence (WB), 1st half... 80
Capitol—Mexican Spitfh-e (RKO), 2nd half... 85
Majestic—Destry Rides Again (Univ) 125
Melba—Gone With the Wind (M-G-M) 800
Palace—Four Wives (FN) 100
Rlalto—Earl of Chicago (M-G-M). 1st half 125
RIalto—Henry Goes Arizona (M-G-M), 2nd half. 110
DENVER
Aladdin— Girl Friday (Col)
at the Denver
Broadway—Destry Rides Again (Univ), after
a wk. at each the Denver, Aladdin and
Rialto
Denham—Remember the Night (Para). 3 days
following a wk., and The Light That Failed
(Para). 4 days to start run
Denver—The Fighting 69th (FN)
Orpheum—Gone With the Wind (M-(S-M),
2nd wk
Paramount—The Amazing Mr, Williams (Col);
Oh, Johnny. How You Can Love (Univ)
Rlalto—The Fatal Hour (M-G-M): Gentleman
From Arizona (Mono)
DETROIT
Adams—The Blue Bird (2ath-Fox), roadshow..
Cinema—Ecstasy
Fox—The Hunchback of Notre (RKO).
Mlchlga
the Night (Par
(UA)
Raffles
Palms-State—The Fighting 69th (FN), aftei
1 wk. at the Michigan; Death of a Champloi
(Para)
United Artists—Gone With the Wind (M-G-M)
roadshow, 2nd wk
Wilson—Same as United Artists
INDIANAPOLIS
-Days of Jesse James (Rep) Fatal
(Mono
Apollo—The Fighting 69th (FN); Man Who
WoDldn't Talk (20th-Fox). movcover from
Indiana
Circle—The Invisible Man Returns (Unlv);
Charlie McCarthy, Detective (Unlv)
Indiana—The Light That Failed (Para); Oh,
Johnny, How You Can I^ve (Univ)
Loew's—Gone With the Wind (M-G-M),
2nd
KANSAS CITY
plu
Esquire—Little Old New York (20th-Fox),
Midland—Gone With the Wind (M-G-M),
and wk
held.

: the
(60)
PRODUCTION
A CHECK-UP ON FEATURE RELEASES
K3
Releases of 1933-40 for a five-month period. Production number follows title. Running time in parenthesis. National release
date at end of title line. Symbol U indicates a BOXOFFICE Blue Ribbon Award Winner. Symbol © indicates color photography.
This department makes no attempt at evaluation of picture quality, but merely presents a thumbnail synopsis.
Columbia
Amazingr Mr. WUUanis, The.. 7.. (86).
Mystery Comedy. The solution of crim
stantly detours a detective from march
sweetheart to the altar. Melvyn Dougl£
Blondell. Director: Alexander Hall.
Beware, Spooks!. .1011. . (65)
Comedy. A demoted officer trails his m
Spook House concession. Joe E. Browi
Carlisle. Director: Edward Sedgwick.
.Oct. 24
in to a
Blondie Brings Up Baby . .1013. . (69) Nov. 9
Dumpling, by getting leads
Comedy. Baby lost,
Blondie and Dagwood to a financier who ultimately
sponsors Dagwood's building scheme.
Penny Singleton. Arthur Lake. Larry Simms. Producer:
Frank R. Strayer.
Cafe Hostess. .1030. .(63) Nov. 30
Drama. The unrevealed mother of a night
club hostess saves daughter's fiance from a
jealous rival. Preston Foster, Ann Dvorak,
Douglas Fowley, Wynne Gibson. Director: Sidney
Salkow.
vspaperman.
.(66) Jan. 31
nocent girl, imprisoned, exposes
istration prevailing, through a
Rochelle Hudson, Frieda Inesig.
Glenn Ford. Director: Nick
Devil Is an Empress, The. . (73) Dec. 1
Drama. (In French). Portrays Imperial intrigue
II, the rebellion
Five Little Peppers Home.. 1020. . (60)
Comedy. A mine cave-in
Fellows, Clarence Kolb.
Char
.Feb. 8
Edith
Fngitive at I^arge. .1026. . (66) Dec. 7
Drama. A gangster, resembling a construction
engineer, frames the latter in a payroll robbery,
sending him to prison. Jack Holt, Patricia Ellis.
Director: Lewis D. Collins.
Hidden Power. .1025. . (60) Sept. 7
Mystery Drama. Accidental of a
discovery
new explosive fails, despite all opposition, to
veer a scientist from his research for a lifesaving
serum. Jack Holt, Gertrude Michael,
Dickie Moore. Director: Lewis D. Collins.
His Girl Friday. .1003. .(92) Jan. 18
Comedy Drama. A star
rin a condemned man a
reprieve. Gary Grant, Rosalind Russell, Ralph
Bellamy, John Qualen, Gene Lockhart. Director:
Howard Hawks.
lyone Wolf Strikes, The 1019.. (65) Jan. 26
.one Wolf emerges from
Mystery Drama. The
gang who have stolen a
Warren William, Joan
friend's pearl necklace.
Perry. Eric Blore, Robert Wilcox, Astrid Allwyn.
Director: Sidney Salkow.
OMr. Smith Goes to Washingrton . . 1101
(126) Oct. 19
Comedy Drama. The unwitting puppet of a
political gang put wise by his secretary in
is
Congress and proceeds to mend matters. Jean
Arthur, James Stewart, Claude Rains. Edward
Arnold. Director: F-rank Capra.
Music in M.v Heart .. 1018. . (70)
Jan. 10
Musical. A romance blooms wl a young man,
about to be deported, comes I the life of a
girl Just as she is about to ry a wealthy
publisher. Tony Martin Hayworth, Alan
Mowb
Kostelanetz. Dl-
Joseph Santley.
Dec. 28
a job in the police
the job as a screen
Ities. Bruce Cabot,
y Carey. Director: Charles
e Frontier. .1212. . (58) Feb. 1
e hero and his girl confound the
to steal her property and dominate
Otto
Kruger
Stranger From Texas. .1202. . (55) .
Taming of the West. .1211. . (54) . .
Western. Law and order comi
town. Bill Elliott, Iris Meredith.
Fisted
Hangers.
J-Boat 29. .1010. .(77) ..
Action Drama. Tables
commander endeavoring
inlormation. Conrad \e
rector: Michael Powell.
First National
Fighting 69th, The. .451. . (85)
World War
George Brent, Je
Kejghley.
our Wives. .453. (110) Dec. 25
Drama. The
.
"Four Daughters" become four
wives, and the story depicts the family matters
that concern each. Claude Rains, Jeffrey Lynn,
Priscilla Lane, Rosemary Lane, Lola Lane, Gale
Page. Director: Michael Curtiz.
.481.. (72)
point ot the tragically destined emperor
Medea Novara, Lionel Atwlll,
press.
Nagel. Director: Miguel C. Torres.
On Your Toes. .463. . (94)
A
.Oct. 14
show,
ballet Musical. wealthy girl backs a
unaware was stolen from original owner.
it its
Vera Zorina, Eddie Albert, Alan Hale, Gloria
Dickson. Director: RayEnright.
Private Detective. .471. . (55) Dec. 9
Dir
No
leturn of Dr. X, The. .464. . (62)
Mystery Drama. A supposed formula f.
.Dec. 2
Bill Elliott. Linda Winters. Dlrec-
thetic blood returns the executed doctor o life,
only to develop a mania for killing. Hu: iphrey
Bogart, Rosemary Lane, Wayn Morr Director:
'Vincent Sherman.
Smashlng the Money Kit
Melodrama. A G-man
the leader of a counte
gan, Margot Stevenson,
Terry Morse.
We Are Not Alone.. 458.
Edd
.470. (56) Oct. 21
prison to track
g. Ronald Rea-
?oy jr. Director:
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Circus. .8. . (85) Oct. 20
iy. Profits from a show staged by pals
a disinherited playboy's circus. Marx
Florence Rice, Kenny Baker. Director:
Buzzell.
Babes Arms. .9. . (97) Oct. 13
Comedy. Vaudevlllians' children help
Musical
parental finances by putting on a show of their
own. Mickey Rooney. Judy Garland. Director:
Busby Berkeley.
Weidler, Gene Reynolds
William Thiele.
holds for
Virginia
Director:
Balalaika. .17. . (102)
Drama with Music.
Dec. 29
A cossack officer falls In
love with a cafe singer, unaware that she on is
the side of the revolutionists. Nelson Eddy,
Ilona Massey, Charlie Ruggles. Frank Morgan,
C. Aubrey Smith. Director: Reinhold Schunzel.
Broadway Melody of 1940. .21. . (100) Feb. 9
Musical. A dancing team makes a bid for big
time recognition. Fred Astaire, Eleanor Powell,
George Murphy. Frank Morgan. Director: Nor-
Congo
Alaisie
H. C.
19. (70) Jan. 19
na. A doctor,
girl and a young
from something, are stranded and
and rehabilitation in the Congos.
John Carroll, Rita Johnson. Di-
Potter.
Earl of Chicago.
Comedy
.18..
Melodrama.
(85)
A Chicago
Jan. 5
gangster Inherits
an English estate and goes to England
to live, taking his lawyer along with him.
Tragedy ensues when the latter tries to settle
an old score with the gangster. Robert Montgomery,
Edward Arnold, Reginald Owen. Gladys
Blake. Director: Richard Thorpe.
Fast and Furious
Comedy. A vac
sleuths when thei
Franchot Tone, j
6.. (73) ..
.tioning coi
- friend is
nn Sotherr
Henry Goes Arizona. .2. . (67)
O,
e turn amat
cused of mur
Director: Bu
rdered
De.
broth,
Morgan. George rphy, Ann Morrlss.
Edv L. Mar
Take s Woman. .26. .
(97) Feb.
Romantic Drama. A ;
clinic doctor saves a giit
from suicide and marries her although knowinu
she is still in love with another. Spencer Trary
Hedy Lamarr. Verree Teasdale, Kent Tavlor. liirector:
W. S. Van Dyke.
Joe and Ethel Turp Call on the President
14 . . (69)
Comedy Drama.
Dec. I
A young couple see the president
in behalf of a mailman dismissed from
the service. Ann Sothern, William Gargan,
Lewis Stone, Walter Brennan. Director: Robert
Sinclair.
Judge Hardy and Son . . 16 . (90) Dec. 22
Comedy. In which the irrepressible Andy tries
for dates, but forgets his percial
strike
Rooney, Cecilia
family. Lewis Stone, Mickey
Parker, Fay Holden. Director: George Seltz.
B.
Lambeth Walk. .22. . (66) Jan. -JC,
Comedy. A Cockney inherits a title and neaily
loses his girl friend while submitting to :in
"improvement" program. Lupino Lane, Sall>
Gray. Director: Albert de Courville.
Man From Dakota.. 24. .Feb. 16
Drama. An escaping prisoner of war sacrifices
his life that his co-refugee and a girl may escape.
Wallace Beery, Dolores Del Rio. John
Howard. Director: Leslie Fenton.
Nick Carter, Master Detective. .15. . . .Dec. I.",
Drama. The super sleuth salvages stolen ;iiiplane
plans from foreign agents. Walter Pidgeon.
Rita Johnson, Henry Hull, Donald Meek
Director: Jacques Tourner.
Remember?.. 11.. (81)
Farce Comedy. A
friend. When a
Secret of Dr. Kildare..!
Drama. An assignment
ciety girl takes the yo
Nov. 3
A Russian woman commissar,
ito France, falls In love. Greta
Douglas, Ina Claire. Director:
Nov. 10
•r fiance's
ex-flanee
uple. Rob-
. Director:
82 BOXOFFICE : : February 17, 1940

I
I
Hidden
!
Melodrama.
:
Ing
I
I
I
. college,
I
; Comedy
,
Warren
(72)
Gleason.
. 962
(74)
^iii:«ji.i'iiMAiJiJHJj«iimi»>iimjJiMurrfTn
'wright triumphs In
ter after 20 years. A fatal heart attack follows
his triumph. Pat O'Brien. Ol.vmpe Bradna.
Roland Young. Director: Lewis Milestone.
Our Neighbors—the Carters. .3911. . (85) ... Nov. 24
Comedy Drama. A small town family struggles
for survival against cut-throat competition. Fay
Bainter. Frank Craven. Mary Thomas. Director:
Ralph Murphy.
Parole Fixer. .3920. . (64) Feb. 2
Melodrama. FBI work in rounding up criminals
who are loosed by shyster lawyers and crooked
parole boards. William Henry. Virgnia Dale.
Robert Paige. Director: Robert Florey.
Remember the Night . . 3919 . . (86) Jan. 19
Drama. The assistant district attorney prosecutes
the girl he loves who happens to be a Jewel
thief. Barbara Stanwyck. Fred MacMurray.
Director: Mitchell Leisen.
Rulers of the Sea. .3910. (90) Nov. 17
Historical Drama. The victory steam over
of
sail in navigation. Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Will
Fyffe. Margaret Lockwood. Director: Frank
Lloyd.
Santa Fe Marshal. .3936. . (68) Jan. 26
Western. The leader of a robber gang is exposed
by a marshal who conceals his identity as a
medicine show participant. M^illiam Boyd, Russell
Hayden, Marjorie Rambeau. Director: Lesley
Selander.
Sidewalks of London . . 3922 . . (84) Feb. 16
Drama. The lives of London's "buskers." sidewalk
entertainers. Charles Laughton, Vivien
Leigh. Director: Tim Wheian.
Television Spy. .3907. Oct. 20
Drama. Romance
.(58)
via television blooms amid
foreign intrigue. William Henry, Judith Barrett.
Director: Edward Dmytryk.
What a Life. .3905. . (75) Oct. 6
Comedy. Adolescent problems of school and
dates pile high on Henry. Jackie Cooper, Betty
Field. Director: Theodore Reed.
fiejiuhliQ
Covered Trailer. .915. . (66) Nov. 10
Comedy. Considered lost at sea, the Gleasons are
arrested for forgery when they reach their vacation
spot. James, Lucile and Russell Gleason,
Harry Davenport. Director: Gus Meins.
Cowboys From Texas . . . (57) Nov. 29
Western. Land office racketeers are outwitted
and cleaned up. Bob Livingston. Raymond Hatton,
Duncan Renaldo. Betty Compson. Director:
George Sherman.
Days of Jesse James. .953. . (61) Dec. 20
Western. Further adventures of Jesse James,
and how a peace officer aids a railroad detective
in cleaning up a frontier town. Roy Rog-
Dir
Heroes of the Saddle. .963. . (56) Jan. 10
.
Western. The three mesquiteers rescue the
daughter of their pal who was killed, and
other inmates from a mis-run orphanage. Robert
Livingston, Raymond Hatton. Duncan Renaldo,
Director: William Witney.
Jeepers Creepers. . (69) Oct. 27
Drama with Music. A coal baron's materialism
is circumvented by the simplicity and honesty
of the natives. Roy Rogers. W^eaver Bros, and
Elviry. Director: Frank McDonald.
Kansas Terrors. .961. . (57) Oct. 6
Western. Kansas cowpunchers, accompanying a
midst of a conflict between oppressed peons
and an island overlord. Robert Livingston, Raymond
Hatton, Duncan Renaldo, Jacqueline Wells.
Director: George Sherman.
Main Street Lawyer. .905. . (71) Nov. S
Drama. A district attorney's apparent aberration
from duty becomes understood. Edward
Ellis, Anita Louise, Robert Baldwin. Harold
Huber. Director: Dudley Murphy.
I
Money to Burn. .917. . (66)
Comedy. Pa Higgins as advertising agency
mania. Ma
employe and Ma with a contest
gets Pa fired so she can enter a contest promoted
by I. i.s agency. James Gleason, Lucile
Gleason. Director: Gus Meins.
Rovin' Tumbie\>etd8..848. .(64) Nov. 16
Western. A flood control bill is blocked until
the opposition's own land faces a threat. Gene
Autry, Smiley Burnette, Mary Carlisle. Director:
George Sherman.
Sabotage. .913. . (69) Oct. 13
Action Drama. The aid of a group of aged veterans
helps prove a young mechanic innocent of
charges of sabotage in an airplane factory. Arleen
Wheian, Gordon Oliver. Charley Grapewln.
Lucien Littlefield. Director: Harold Young.
Saga of Death VaUey. .952. (58) Nov. 22
Western with Music. A villain control
seeks to
a valley's water supply. Roy Rogers, George
Hayes. Donald Barry, Frank M. Thomas. Director;
Joe Kane.
South of the Border. .941. .(70) Dec. 15
Western. Federal agents quell uprising In
an
Mexico. Gene Autry. Smiley Burnette. Mary Lee.
Director: George Sherman.
Thou Shalt Not Kill. .916. . (64) Dec. 27
Drama. An Innocent lad awaits the death penalty,
while a priest, unable to violate the sanctity
of the confessional, uses his Influence to get the
real killer to confess. Charles Bickford. Owen
Davis jr.. Doris Day. Paul Gulltoyle. Director:
John H. Auer.
Village Barn Dance. .919. Jan. 30
The small-town girl
Musical Comedy Drama.
is won by the handsome newcomer who also
succeeds In regenerating the village skinflint.
BOXOmCE
:
: February 17, 1940 83

J
:
If,
. (67)
. 023
(58)
reatutei'
Lm:»j.i'iJM4iJM!ij>iaiimiM4.m4iMmmEin
i
Stephenson.
ell, Doris Day
York, The.. 918.
he befriended
Jon
.s D. A. he rol
und Lowe, Roi
Dir William
RKO Radio
executed,
Hobart,
McGann.
Frank
.Jan. 26
though
James
AUegheny Cprisingr. .006. . (81) Nov. 10
Outdoor Drama. The colonial government's fight
to suppress illegal trading in rum and weapons
with the Indians. Claire Trevor, John Wayne.
George Sanders, Brian Donlevy. Director: Williar
Seit^
Drama with Music.
945.. (60) Dec. 28
A highly Imaginative South
American youngster aids in furthering a romance
between a tourist and the daughter of a
ranchero. Bobby Breen. Kent Taylor, Marcia
Shelton. Director: Erie Kenton.
Everything's on Ice. .946. . (65) Oct. 6
Musical. A six-year-old shows her talent on ice.
Irene Dare, Roscoe Karns, Edgar Kennedy. Director:
Erie C. Kenton.
Flyine Deuces. .010. . (65) Nov. 3
Comedy. Two foreign inadvertently
legionnaires
become heroes when they try to desert. Stan
Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Jean Parker. Director: A.
Edward Sutherland.
Hunchback of Notre Dame, The. .015. . (114) .Dec. 89
Drama. Medieval hor«r melodrama of the
gypsy girl who is saved from a Paris mob by
the Hunchback. Charles Laughton, Cedric
Sir
Hardwicke, Maureen O'Hara. Director: William
Dieterle.
element from gaining control of the town and
selling out to the railroad. George O'Brien,
Virginia Vale, Norman Willis. Director: David
Howard.
Slarines Fly High. .018. . (68) Feb. 2
Action Drama. Marines, trapped Central
in a
number. Richard Dix. Chester Morris. Lucille
Ball, Steffi Duna. Director: Ben Stoloff.
Mexican Spitfire. .016. (61) Jan. 18
.
Comedy. A hilarious mixup -when a
occurs
friend impersonates a visiting English lord to
help save a contract for the spitfire's husband.
Lupe Velez, Leon Errol, Donald Woods. Director:
Leslie Goodwins.
Married and
Drama.
in Love. .014. . (60) Jan. 19
A professor, married to a plain wife,
meets his old college love and forced decide
is to
between the two women. Alan Marshal,
Barbara Read, Patric Knowles, Helen Vinson.
Director: John Farrow.
Marshal of Mesa City, The. .081. (61) Nov. 3
.
Western. A marshal ends the domination of a
crooked sheriff over a frontier town. George
O'Brien. Virginia Vale. Director: David Howard.
Meet Dr. Christian. .005. . (63) Nov. 17
Drama. Saving the mayor's daughter wins a
small town doctor his long-sought hospital. Jean
Hersholt, Dorothy Lovett. Paul Harvey. Director:
Bernard Vorhaus.
©Pinnochio. .091. . (80) Feb. 23
Feature Cartoon. The after
wooden puppet,
numberless adventures, rewarded with soul
Is a
life. and Produced by Walt Disney.
Reno. .008.
Drama.
.(73) Dec. 1
How a young lawyer put Reno on the
map. Richard Dix, Gail Patrick. Director: John
Farrow.
Saint's Double Trouble, The .081 Jan. 26
. . .
."^aint round.'! Melodrama. The up his double who
had taken to diamond smuggling, embellished
with murder. George .Sandc-rs. Helene Whitney.
Bela Lugo.si. Director: Jack Hively.
Sued for Libel. 018.. (65) Oct. 87
Drama. False advice, on a
broadcast, brings
libel suit, until further research uncovers enough
unpleasant facta tu cau.

'
.
when
, Comedy.
'
tivlty
'
Allen
(63)
.416.
(75)
(Negro)
(80)
THE COMPLETE CHECK-UP ON CURRENT sHHcHtl ^eatute5
entertain guests at the home of a millionaire
publisher, but find themselves with a murder
mystery on their hands. Edgar Bergen. Charlie
McCarthy. Mortimer Snerd. Robert Cummings,
Constance Moore. Director: Frank Tuttle.
hip of the Flying U. .4060. . (55) Nov. 24
Western. A foreign agent's cache of explosives
Is uncovered on a ranch. John Mack Brown.
Bob Baker, Fuzzy Knight, Doris Weston. Director:
Ralph Staub.
•anger on Wheels. .4055. (60) Feb. 2
Action Drama. A racing driver the girl
wins
he proves the of value her father's new
motor on the track. Richard Arlen, Andy Devlne,
Peggy Moran. Director: Christy Calmnne.
lestn- Kides Again. .4002 (94) Dec. 29
Action Drama. A saloon entertainer sacrifices
her life to help the man representing the law.
Marlene Dietrich, James Stewart, Brian Donlevy.
Director: George Marshall.
Love. .3002. («4> Nov. 10
Irst .
Comedy with Music. With the help of servants,
a is for modern Cinderella dressed a ball where
she meets Prince Charming. Deanna Durbin.
Helen Parrlsh, Robert Stack. Eugene Pallette.
Director: Henry Koster.
reen Hell. . (87) Jan- 26
Drama. The thrilling experiences of an expedition
party along the Amazon which faces ho.stlle
natives. Douglas Fairbanks Jr.. Joan Bennett,
John Howard, Alan Hale. Director: James
Whale.
lero for a Day. .4035. (66) Oct. 6
A demonstration by an old grad that
college spirit is more than just football. Anita
Louise. Charley Grapewln, Dick Poran. Director:
Harold Young.
Deferred 4038 (59) Feb. 16
lonejTnoon
Comedy Drama.
. .
An
. .
insurance detective solves
the mvsterlous of of death the head his company.
Edmund Lowe. Margaret Lindsay. Elisabeth
Risdon. Director: Lew Landers.
divisible Man Returns, The . (81) Jan. 12
.
A fantastic of an
Mystery Melodrama, tale
innocent to Is man, sentenced hang, who rendered
invisible by a doctor and escapes prison
to seek the real Sir murderer. Cedrlo Hardwlcke.
Vincent Price, Nan Grey, John Sutton.
Director: Joe May.
aogh It Off. 4026. (63) Dec. 1
Musical. A show by a group of down-and-out
showgirls saves a gambling friend's night club,
ruined by a raid. Constance Moore, Johnny
Downs, Cecil Cunningham. Edgar Kennedy. Director:
Albert S. Rogell.
eglon of Lost Flyers. .4053. . (64) Nov. 3
Melodrama. Blamed tor an air crash, the aviator
tracks down the villain and forces him to
confess. Richard Arlen, Andy Devlne, Ann
Nagcl. William Lundigan. Director: Christy
Ittle Accident. 4019. (65) Oct. 27
Comedy. Baby Sandy contest and
wins a
"adopts" herself some new parents. Hugh Herbert.
Baby Sandy, Florence Rice. Director:
Lamont.
Charles
Ian From Montreal . . 4054 .. (60) .-. . . Dec. 8
Action Drama. Hi-jackers frame a fur trapper
but the Mountles save the day. Richard Arlen,
Andy Devlne, Kay Sutton. Director: Christy
llssing Evidence. .4028. (64) Dec. 15
Melodrama. A counterfeit in lot-
ring dealing
tery tickets is smashed. Preston Foster. Irene
Hervey, Chick Chandler. Director: Phil Rosen.
ly Uttle Chickadee. . (84) Feb. 9
Comedy. A series of evictions from towns out
west ends tor the heroine when she gets the
bandits to return the loot gathered in coach
holdups. Mae West. W. C. Fields, Joseph Calleia.
Director: Edward Cline.
h, Johnny, How Yoa Can l.ove. .4021. . Jan. 6
Drama. A romance that started on a highway Is
continued after the young couple escape capby
bandits. Tom Brown, Peggy Moran,
Jenkins, Donald Meek. Director: Charles
'klahoma Frontier. .4059. . (58) Oct. 20
Western. Accused of murder, the hero escapes
and with the aid of his sweetheart finds the
real killer. John Mack Brown. Bob Baker, Anne
Gwynne. Director: Ford Beebe.
'ne Hour to Uve. .4030. . (.59) Nov. 10
Action Drama. An inspector tracking a big-shot
gangster finds the police commissioner involved.
Charles Blckford. Doris Nolan, John Lltel. Director:
Harold Schuster.
"wer of I.ondon 4012 (94) Nov. 17
Melodrama. The scheming usurper
brother of a
is kept from the throne when the exiled king
Is aided to effect a restoration. Basil Rathbone.
Boris Karloff, John Sutton, Barbara
O'Neill. Director: Rowland V. Lee.
ropic Fury.. 4052. .(63) Oct. 13
Drama. A native revolt on a rubber plantation
breaks the yoke of slavery a dictator has put
on them. Richard Arlen. Andy Devlne. Beverly
Roberts. Director: Christy Cabanne.
West of Carson City (formerly Galloping Kid)
. 4061. (55) Jan. 19
Western. to a
Law and order are restored
western town after a crooked gambler and his
gang are captured. Johnny Mack Brown. Bob
Baker, Fuzzy Knight, Peggy Moran. Director:
Ray Taylor.
Witness Vanishes, The. .4027. . (66) Sept. 22
Melodrama. A publisher avenges himself on four
n to an Insane asylum. Ed-
Wendy Barrle. Barlowe Borland.
Warner Bros.
British Intelliffence . . (60) Jan. 20
Melodrama. A spy story climaxed by bombs and
an air raid. Margaret Lindsay. Boris Karloff.
Brother Rat and a Baby. .406. . (87) Jan. 13
Comedy. A pal only succeeds In muddling the
chances his friend has of heading the college
football team. PrLscilla Lane, Jane Bryan, Jane
Wyman, Wayne Morris. Director: Ray Enright.
Calling PhUo Vance. .420. . (62) Feb. 3
Mystery Drama. The stealing of airplane plans
by foreign agents is uncovered. James Stephenson,
Margot Stevenson. Director: William
Castle on the Hudson. (77) Feb. 17
.
A gangster doesn't a warden
Melodrama. let down
who believes In the honor system. John
Garfield, Ann Sheridan, Burgess Meredith, Pat
O'Brien. Director: Anatole Litvak.
Dead End Kids on Dress Parade. .413. . (62) .Nov. 18
Comedy Drama. The Dead End Kids at Military
school. Billy Halop, Bobby Jordan, Leo Gorcey,
John Lltel. Director: William Clemens.
Granny Get Your Gun. .421. . (60) Feb. 10
Comedy Drama. A pioneer tracks down the guilty
gambler when her grand-daughter Is hauled
into court on a murder charge. May Robson,
Harry Davenport, Margot Stevenson. Director:
Invisible Stripes. .408. . Dec. 30
Melodrama. An ex-convict tries to make things
easier for his younger brother, but gets shot
when he double crosses his gang to save the boy
from prison. George Raft. Jane Bryan, Humphrey
Bogart, William Holden. Director: Lloyd
Kid Nightingale. .411. Nov. 4
Comedy Drama. A
(58)
prizefighter launches his
musical career after winning the championship.
John Payne. Jane Wyman, Walter Catlett. Director:
George Amy.
Pride of the Blaegrass. .418. . (65) Oct. 7
Melodrama. A blind horse is taught to Jump by
signals and emerges a winner. Edith Fellows,
James McCallion. Director: William McGann.
©Private Lives of EUzabeth and Essex
402. .(100) Nov. 11
Drama. A England's most
characterization of
famous queen. Bette Davis, Errol Flynn, Olivia
de Havilland. Director: Michael Curtiz.
Roaring Twenties. .403. . (104) Oct. 28
Drama. The hectic period end of
between the
the World War and the collapse of the financial
bubble in 1929. James Cagney, Prlscilla Lane.
Director: Raoul Walsh.
State Rights
. Gateway
Bad Boy. .(66)
becomes a big
Melodrama. A small town boy
all
time racketeer only to meet the fate of
racketeers. Johnny Downs. Rosalind Keith.
Helen MacKeilar. Director: Herbert Mayer. 1-40
Black Eyes. . (72) Alliance
Drama. A waiter rears his daughter to believe
that he is a business man, so she can be brought
up in luxury. Mary Maguire, Otto Kruger. Walter
Rilla, John Wood. Director: Herbert Brenon.
1-40
Bombs Over London. . (78) Film Alliance
Melodrama. Wireless-controlled planes raid London
is in
while the enemy the midst of a false
peace conference. Charles Parrell, Fritz Kortner,
Margaret Vyner. Directors: Roger Macdougal
and Alexander MacKendrlck. 10-39
Baried Alive. (62) Nov. 6. .P-D-C
.
Melodrama. A of an innocent
hoax execution
man makes the guilty man confess. Beverly
Roberts, Robert Wilcox, Peter Lynn. Director:
Victor Halperin. 11-39
Challenge, The. . (65) Film AlUance
Outdoor Drama. A mountain-climbing race between
an English and an Italian party. Robert
Douglas, Luis Trenker, Joan Gardner. Director:
Milton Rosmer. 10-39
Death Klrtes the Range. . (58) Colony
Investigating an that is
Western. expedition
masking espionage activities, Maynard and his
helium supply. Ken Maynard, Fay McKenzle.
Director: Sam Newfield. 2-10
Demon Barber of Fleet St. . . (66) Select
Melodrama. Flashback waterfront
tale of a
barber who lured customers from English ships
and murdered them for belongings. Tod
their
Slaughter. Bruce Seton, Stella Rho. Director:
George King. 10-39
First Film Concert, The . . (52) World . . Nov. 1
Mixed Concert. A series of recitals on the music
of the masters. Alfred Cortot, Gregor Platlgwsk.v.
12-39
Flaming I«ad . . (57) Colony
Western. Aid comes owner who
to a girl ranch
is combating rustlers. Ken Maynard. Eleanor
Stewart. Director: Sam Newfield. 12-39
Goose Step.. (90) Oct. 15. .P-D-C
Drama. A brave organizes antl-NazI
German
forces. Roland Drew. Steffi Duna. Director:
Sherman Scott. 12-39
Headleys at Home, The. . (60) Standard
Comedy Drama. A hired Impersonator turns out
to be a bank robber, embarrassing friend wife
to no end. Grant Mitchell, Evel.vn Venable, Benny
Rubin, Vlnce Barnett. Director: Chris Beute.
11-39
Hell's Angels. .reUsne. .(100) Astor
Action Drama. Air battles in the World War
intersperse the romance. Ben Lyon, James Hall.
Jean Harlow. 2-40
I Met a Murderer. York
young farmer nagging
Drama. A murders his
wife and becomes a hunted man. James Mason.
Pamela Kelllno. Director: Roy Kellino. 10-39
Ireland's Border Line . (65) Regal
Itinerant encounters man and
Comedy. An a
woman crook somewhere between northern and
southern Ireland. Jimmy O'Dea. Myrette Morven.
Director: Harry O'Donovan. 12-39
Invisible Killer, The. (61) Nov. 14. P-D-C
Drama. The
.
town's leading reformer faces a
murder charge. Grace Bradley, Roland Drew.
Alex Callam, Frank Colettl. Director: Sherman
Scott. 12-39
Keep Punching. .(81). .M-C Pictures Dec. 15
All-Negro Drama. A lad seeking a fighting career
in the big city, meets an old friend. The
"friend" tries to poison his drink but someone
else gets the drink and the lad wins. Henry
Armstrong. Mae Johnson. Willie Bryant. Canada
Lee. Director: John Clein. 1-40
Mercy Plane. .(..) P-D-C
Drama. The pilot who was to fly the "Mercy
Plane" which was stolen, sends out a false
S. O. S. to trap the man suspected of stealing
planes and selling them to a foreign government.
James Dunn, Frances Gifford, William
Pawley. Director: Richard Harlan. 1-40
Mesquite Buckaroo . (59) Metropolitan
.
Western. A bronc-riding escapes kidnapers
cowboy
and reaches the rodeo In time to win
Bob Steele. Carolyn Curtis, Frank LaRue. 11-39
Mill on the Floss, The (80) Standard
Drama. Tragedy
.
follows the antagonism between
two families. Geraldine Fitzgerald, Frank
Lawton. Director: Tim Whelan. 12-39
Mystic Circle Murder. . (69) Merit
Melodrama. A newspaperman saves his girl from
to a phoney medium about rob her. Betty
Compson, Robert Fiske. 11-39
North Sea Patrol. (65)
AlUance Films
Drama. The Royal Navy waylays a band of spys
through the commander of a destroyer. Geoffrey
Toone. Judy Kelly. Clifford Evans. 2-40
. One Dark
Comedy
Niirht (81) Sack
—• ,:'.> family
win, i head of a
west and t li himself in a night
club. M:ii Citty Treadvllle. Director:
L.ii 1-40
One Night in Paris. . (74) Alliance
Biltish Mystery Drama. A French producer Is
murdered on the opening night of his play. The
murder Is solved before the play closes. John
Lodge. Judy Kelly. Hugh Williams. Director:
Sun -40
Pocomania . . (68) Dec. 1 . . I..enwal
All-Negro Drama. Filmed on the Island of
.Jamaica, the plot deals with a Jealous girl, who
uses voodooism to gain control of land left to
her sister by their father. Sisterly love reunites
the two. Nina Mae McKlnney, Jack Carter, Ida
Jame.s, Hamtrec Harrington. Director: Arthur
Leonard. 1-40
BOXOFnCE : : February 17, 1940
85

(95)
J^
7eatute5i
E
COMPLETE CHECK-OP ON CURRENT RELEASES
tect the secret from raiders. Polly Ann Toung,
Kenneth Harlan. Director: Harry S. Webb. 9-39
Return of the Frog. . (70) Select
Melodrama. The Frog and his henchmen return
to terrorize London. Gordon Harker. Hartley
Power, Rene Ray. Director: Maurice Elvey. 10-39
Riders of the Sage.. (53) Metropolitan
Western. A range war, with the sheep men trying
to rout the cattle men. Bob Steele, Claire
Rochelle, Ralph Hoopes. 1-40
Second Bnreau. . (60) Film Alliance
Spy Drama. A German girl spy trails a French
spy agent. They fall In love, admit their identities,
and plan to resign and marry. But the
girl Is shot as a traitor. Marta Labarr. Charles
Oliver. Director: W. Victor Hanbury. 1-40
Songs and Saddles . . (67) Alexander
"Western. A cowboy hides his friend, a ranch
owner, and then rounds up the gang who believe
their attempt to kill the rancher was successful.
Gene Austin, Lynne Berkley. Director:
Harry Fraser. 1-40
Spies of the Air. (78) AlUance
Mystery Drama. The Intelligence, by
British
the process of elimination, uncovers the traitor
who has been stealing aeronautic plans. Barry
K. Barnes. Roger Livesey, Joan Marion, Basil
Radford. Director: David MacDonald. 1-40
Straight Shooter. . (54) Principal
heroine. Tim McCoy, Julie Sheldon. Director:
Sam Newfield. 1-40
Straight to Heaven.. (56) Domino
All-Negro Drama. A chemist uncovers a canned
goods racket In Harlem, but is framed by the
guilty parties and sent to jail. His wife and
lawyer friend continue the crusade until the head
mobster Is exposed. Nina Mae McKinney. Jackie
Ward, Stanley Harrison, Percy Verwayne, Lionel
Monagas. Director: Arthur Leonard. 1-40
Takn . . (48) Norman Dawn
Nature gold-mining country of
Drama. The
Alaska as seen through the eyes of an old prospector.
Amateur cast. Director: Norman Dawn.
10-39
Tlmberland Terror.. (75) Hoffberg
Melodrama. A lifeguard saves the heroine and
her father's timber business. Shirley Ann Richards,
Frank Leighton. Director: Ken G. Hall.
Torpedoed ! . (66) Film Alliance
Melodrama. British diplomats quell a
naval
Latin revolution when a ship Is attacked. H. B.
Warner, Robert Douglas, Richard Cromwell. 10-39
Torture Ship. (57) Oct. 22 F-D-C
In
Melodrama. Criminals ship mutiny aboard
fear of becoming scientific experiments. Irving
Plchel, Jacqueline Wells, Lvle Talbot. Director:
Victor Halperin. 11-39
Treachery on the High Seas. . (68) Times
Melodrama. Jewel thieves are after a ruby necklace
on a trans-Atlantic liner. Ben Lyon, Bebe
Daniels. 10-39
Trigger Fingers. . (55) Victory
Western. A G-man tracks down the rustlers. Tim
McCoy. Ben Corbett. Joyce Bryant.
MTlen Germany Surrendered. . (70) A. !>. Rule
Documentary. An appeal for peace. Scenes of
the battlefronts and submarine warfare of the
World War. 11-39
Why This War. . (70) Jewel
Documentary indicting the war-makers. Compiled
by Samuel Cummins. 11-39
pranks in a middle-class French boys' school,
in which one of the lads inadvertently learns
that the educational director involved with a
is
gang of counterfeiters. Aime Clarion, Eric von
Stroheim, Michael Simon. Director: Christian
Jaque. 1-40
Citadel of Silence, The . . (French)
(91) FUm AUiance
Drama. A Polish patriot marries a Russian prison
commandant to be near her imprisoned lover
and later to inspire mutiny. Annabella, Pierre
Renoir. Director: Marcel L'Herbier. 2-40
End of a Day, The. . (94) Juno Films
Drama. Actors at the their careers.
twilight of
Victor Francen, Louis Jouvet. Michel Simon.
Director: Julien Duvivier. 10-39
(90) Concord
Entente
Drama.
Cordiale. . (French)
The alliance
.
between two traditional
enemies, England and France, that came at the
turn of the century. Victor Francen, Gaby Morlay.
Director: Marcel L'Herbier. 1-40
Golden Ke.v, The. (70) .. (Russian)
.
Amkino
,
Dec. 25
Tolstoy's the of Russian Fantasy. adaptation
Pinocchio yarn, about a poor musician who
fashions a puppet from a block of wood. It
comes to life and gets involved in a series of
fairy tale complications. A. Shagin, S. Martinson,
G. Uvarov. 1.40
Hatred. . (. .) World
Drama. A story of the sea. (In French, with
English titles). Harry Baur.
Katia . . (French) . . (78) Mayer-Burstvn
Drama. A marriage of love for Alexander "ll
when assassination ends all. Danielle Darrieux!
John Loder. Director: Maurice Tourneur. 2-40
L'Alibi.. (82)., (Foreign Dialogue) Columbia
French Melodrama. (English subtitles). A girl,
stacked up against the persistent forces of the
law, confesses to the falsity of a "perfect alibi."
Eric von Stroheim, Jany Holt, Louis Jouvet. Director:
Pierre Chenal. 1-40
La Inmacnlada. (Spanish) . . tFA
Drama in Spanish. Produced by Atalaya Films
for the Latin market. A married to one
girl,
man, loves another. When the husband finds
she lovee some one he himself. In
else, kills
Fortunio Bonanova, Andrea Palma. Director-
Louis Gasnier. 1-40
Life of Tchaikowsky, The (Es War Eine
RauBchende Ballnacht) (93)
. .
CFA-Carl Froelich. .Nov. 1939
Music Drama. The composer's struggle for recognition.
English sub-titles. Zarah Leander,
Arlbert Wascher, Hans Stowe. 12-39
Light Ahead, The. .(108) Carmel
Drama. Romance spurs a blind girl and a crippled
bath attendant to combat the smugness
and superstition of the townsfolk. Isidore Casher.
Helen Beverly. Director: Edgar Ulmer 10-39
Louise . . (French) . . (72) Mayer-Burstvn
Music Drama. In the period of 1900 a g.rl runs
off to Paris with a composer. The opera iiite.
grates the story. Grace Moore, Georges Tliill
Love in Old Naples. . (Italian) .. (99) Esi>eria
Musical Drama. A story of unrequited love and
matica, Vittorio De Sica. 2-40
Mademoiselle Ma Mere.. (78) J. H. Hoffberg
Farce Comedy. Annulment follows the marriage
of a young woman and an elderly man when she
runs off with her stepson. Danielle Darrieu.T,
Marcel Simon. Director: Henri Decoin. 10-39
Marseillaise. . (79) World. .Nov. 3
Historical Drama. of the French
Early days
Republic. Pierre Renoir, Lise Delamare. Louis
Jouvet. Director: Jean Renoir. 12-39
Mirele Efros. . (87) Credo
Drama. A daughter-in-law mother-inlaw
versus
ends at the bar mitzvah of grand.son.
a
Berta Gersten, Michael Rosenberg, Ruth Elbaum.
Director: Josef Berne. 11-39
On His Own. . (96) Amkino
Drama. A screen biography of Maxim Gorki as
his adult lite begins. Alexi Lyarsky. Director:
Mark Donskoi. 10-39
Port of .Shadows. .(68) Film Alliance
Drama. Romance of an army deserter and girl
the former is killed by a gangster. Jean Gabln,
Michele Morgan. Director: Michael Carne. 11-39
Rasputin . . (93) Concord
Drama. The influential monk's notorious activities.
Harry Baur. Director: Marcel L'Herbier.
11-39
Scipione L'Africano . . (155) Esperla
Historical Drama. The conquest of Carthage by
the Romans. Isa Miranda and Italian cast. DIrectoi
: Carmine Gallone. 10-39
Shors. . (Russian) (92) Amkino
Historical Drama. The spurred
idealism that
tor:
the conquest of the Ukraine In 1917-19. Dire,
Alexander Dovzhenko. 2-40
Tev.va. (Yiddish) (93) Maymon
.
Drama.
. .
Daughter of a Jewish family in old
Russia, married out of her religion, returns as]
the family is about to be expelled from the'
Maurice Schwartz, Miriam Riselle. 2-40
That They May Live (J'Accuse)
(78) Mayer-Bur>l.vn
Drama. Fantasy of dead comrades aiding a \\:^v
veteran to fight for peace. Victor Francen. IMrector:
Abel Gance. 12-39
We Two.. (Swedish). .(89)
Drama. A husband becomes inv<
tion with his friend's wife, bu
has a baby, happiness wipes
Sture Lagerwall, Signe Hasso.
_i7/f 'Tk e Making^
Foreign Dialogue
. .
A Brivele Der Mamen (A Letter to
Mother) (lOfl) Sphinx
Drama. Disintegration of a family of Jews,
who, one by one, leave Poland for America.
Lucy Gehrman, Alexander Stein, Max Bozyk.
Producer: Greenfilm, "Warsaw. 10-39
A People Eternal. . (65) Six Star
Drama. Mystical interpretation of the Messiah's
plea tor salvation. English subtitles. Conrad
Veldt, Peggy Ashcrott, Basil Gill. Director:
Maurice Elvey. 12-39
Affair Laffont, The. (90) Trans-Atlantic
.
Drama. A married w^oman shoots her sister
whose illegitimate child she has raised, when a
blackmailing father arrives and the mother Is
about to Corinne Luchaire. Director:
tell all.
Leonid Moguy. 11-39
Betrayal . . (80) World
Historical Drama. The love of Catherine the
Great for the treacherous Count Orloff. Annie
Vernay, Pierre Richard-Willm. Director: Fedor
Ozep. 10-39
Boys' School.. (90). .(Foreign Dialogue) .. Columbia
French Melodrama. A kaleidoscope of kiddlsh
One Was Beautiful—Jean Muir, Robert Cummings,
Laraine Day, Billie Burke. Director: Robert Sinclair.
Producer: Frederic Stephani. (Starting)
MONOGRAM
Midnight Limited—John King. Me
Edward Keane, George Cleveland
ard Bretherton. Producer: T. R.
nal Screenplay: C. B. Williams,
Rancho Grande—Gene Autry, Smiley
June Storey, Dick Hogan, Rex Lease.
Frank McDonald. Producer: Willian
Screenplay: Betty Burbrldgc, Peter Mil
The Saint Takes Ov
HKO RADIO
Roland
Drew
Cisco Kid— Cesar Romero, Jean Rot;
is-Pin Martin, Minor Watson. Director: >
Foster. Producer: John Stone. (Complct
1
La Conga Nights—Hugh Herbert. Director:
Landers. Producer: Ken Goldsmith. Screer
Paul Gerard Smith. (Stni
WAHNER-FN
.\n Angel From Texas—Eddie Albert, Wayne Morris,
Rosemary Lane, Jane Wyman, Ronald Reagan,
Ruth Terry. Director: Ray Enright. Pro-i
ducer: Robert Fellows. Screenplay: Wally Klein,:
Bertram Mllhauser, Fred Niblo jr. (Starting):
Saturday's Children—John Garfield, Claude Rain.'i
Anne Shirley, Frank McHugh. Director: W.lli.ini
Keighley. Producer: Henry Blanke. ScreeniMav
Julius and Philip Epstein. (Completeill
BOXOFFICE : : February 17, 194(

(.
now—pay
'
I
: February
52
^sanMnasmam

DON'T PLAY TO EMPTY SEAT
when
Is GUARANTEED to Fill Thei
Movie Trade Scrip
has been approved by
Showmen of national reputation and is H-
censed on an exclusive basis only . . . and . .
is FULLY GUARANTEED to produce results
to your satisfaction or YOUR MONEY BACK.
Wnte at once for full details
MOVIE TRADE SCRIP CORPORATION
(Kirk & Haysler Enterprises, Inc.)
Kansas City, Missouri
yf
Available Only to Exhibitors in Areas Not Yet Licem)