Boxoffice - Feb. 17, 2014

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. : 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 . . . ôhn 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 = îiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiir? OXOFHCE : 17, 1940 51
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PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY BY ASSOCIA
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1 "Pinocchio" ; admission i over I
Page 7 and 8: SHOWMANSHIP CE A ZOLA . . \nship Br
Page 9 and 10: When CHARLES LAUGHTON sings it! . .
Page 11 and 12: i beck's Predicts Cycle of Films Wi
Page 13 and 14: êry bit €g fine as we had its pr
Page 15 and 16: ! the I from : tions ' strengthenin
Page 17 and 18: ; the Coated Paper Award Goes to UA
Page 19 and 20: I Complaint I 1 1—The ' 2—The I
Page 21 and 22: I I . . George . . William . . Edwa
Page 23 and 24: , discussed ; ecutives . Warners, i
Page 25 and 26: i Twentieth-Fox . . Claude . . Sam
Page 27 and 28: The never-ending struggle between l
Page 29 and 30: I ' Metro's ANNOUNCEMENT of the nom
Page 31 and 32: I I I Continued Metro Paces Upswing
Page 33 and 34: I Paul ' The to Death Valley for th
Page 35 and 36: I i Joe : February . . Ben . . Sylv
Page 37 and 38: . . Out-of-town . . H. Scoff at One
Page 39 and 40: : February 16MM COMPETITION INTO DI
Page 41 and 42: f Catcalls as Costello Confiscates
Page 43 and 44: I Miller, I I £71 ! Jack . vice-pr
Page 45 and 46: I The Indiana Employment Continues
Page 47 and 48: . hXCFHCE ''. 15 Now, Nothing But "
Page 49 and 50: I ICansas . . . Doug Kansas City Ba
Page 51 and 52: j ling. He was transferred here fro
Page 53 and 54: ' Kansas ' . . Frank • Continued
Page 55 and 56: , tion j Wood I "I ! "I Pot 0' Gold
Page 57: : tetroit; iayer Philosophizes U De
Page 61 and 62: . . Bob . . Due ..C.J. . . . W. . .
Page 63 and 64: ' I Time : February Industry in Bos
Page 65 and 66: I ' David . . Charles . . Ditto . .
Page 67 and 68: . . The . . Dave . . Aaron : Februa
Page 69 and 70: ' i Boston—The High-Speed Picture
Page 71 and 72: ' moral Independent Staffs SaysNeel
Page 73 and 74: WAS GODOY ROBBED? 50 Hard-Boiled Th
Page 75 and 76: ! Had ' the ' play Dixie D o in s B
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Page 79 and 80: 1 (Continued '. Evidently . . . W.
Page 81 and 82: 1' holdovers : February IHIOU^TOM g
Page 83 and 84: Sask. MPEA Averts Hike in Licenses
Page 85 and 86: According to gossip. Wells. B. C, i
Page 87 and 88: ' c iMiWiiWJiOaganB^s^/îQ\/LQW5 o
Page 89 and 90: Foreign Language Features I Condott
Page 91 and 92: I the ' wily I Republic I That I fr
Page 93 and 94: "WIND" SCORES SURGING SUMS ACROSS N
Page 95 and 96: I I Hidden ! Melodrama. : Ing I I I
Page 97 and 98: ' . when , Comedy. ' tivlty ' Allen
Page 99 and 100: (. now—pay ' I : February 52 ^san
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Boxoffice - Feb. 17, 2014

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