Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

Need "A" Product to Combat Slumps Detroit — The recent lean season caused by the strike situation in the auto city has forced many circuit and independent exhibitors to complain anew over the large number of class B and C pictures and the lack of big class A films. “The slump caused by the strikes in Detroit,” said one executive who would not permit use of his name, “emphasizes again our dire need for more class A pictures. In such periods we need more pictures of the T-must-see-that-tonight’ group.” “Slack periods will always be with us, whether due to economic strife or holiday seasons such as Lenten, which just passed,” he added. “However, if we have something with a sock and name value to it, it will soften the hard knocks that the boxoffice now suffers with only mediocre pictures that we have to offer our patrons.” Open at Wampum Wampum, Pa. — H. L. Fry presented talking pictures here at Wampum for the first time Monday, the event being the opening of the Wampum Theatre, closed for more than six years. The house has been remodeled and renovated. Fry is connected with the park amusement business in Ohio. The striking similarity between styles of today and those worn hy the welldressed woman in 1917 is illustrated by Dorothy Beal, left, wearing the latest in 1937 apparel, and Terry Walker, costumed in an outfit designed by Miss Beal and worn by Miss Walker in “23 1/2 Hours Leave,” the wartime story produced by Douglas MacLean. After making a careful study of the style trends of twenty years ago Miss Beal discovered that fashions then and now compare very favorably. PITT AREA HOUSES MARK GOOD FRIDAY Pittsburgh — Numerous theatres in the territory were dark Good Friday, many remaining closed from noon to 3 p. m. and others without performance throughout the day. Most of the exchanges closed at noon. Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Holy Innocents Church had sent out a request for this observance at theatres. The day was sacredly commemorated with services at several theatres in the territory. URLING, DAVIS EYE NEW MARTINSVILLE Pittsburgh — W. B. Urling and George C. Davis, tri-state circuit operators, will enter into exhibition at New Martinsville, W. Va., at an early date, according to reports here. Plans have been completed for the construction of the new theatre, it is understood. New Martinsville’s present theatre is the Lincoln, operated for many years by Dr. A. L. Koontz and Bert Mulheman. Strike Fizzles (Continued from page 13 i is unofficially stated. Instead of the wage scale set up at the first meeting of the group, it is reported that they will ask for a $5.00 a week increase for all workers in their classification, establishing top and minimum wages above and below which no demands will be asked. Double time on Sunday, said to have been included in the original schedule, is also out, according to reliable information. It is also understood that exchanges will be classified as to the amount of product handled so as to establish an equitable scale of wages. Rachiele Into Blawnox Pittsburgh — Harry Rachiele has acquired the Maryland Theatre, Blawnox, which reopened this week under his management. The Blawnox house has been operated for a number of years by D. H. and Myra Boyd. Rachiele is a theatre owner and operator at Sharpsburg and Derry, Pa. Metroites on Air Hollywood — Jeanette MacDonald, Metro star, was to appear Friday on the Hollywood Hotel radio program. Hunt Stromberg, Metro producer, also was to appear as guest on the Louella Parsons’ CBS show. The program was to feature a scene from the Metro musical, “Maytime.” DIPSON ON EUROPEAN TOUR Pittsburgh — N. D. Dipson, veteran circuit operator, left last Friday for a tour of Europe. He will be absent from his office at Batavia, N. Y., for a period of six or seven weeks. CINCINNATI pARAMOUNT’S Joe Oulahan is chairman for the Will Rogers Memorial Fund drive, set for April 30. An all-star short is offered free to exhibitors agreeing to make a collection, which supports a hospital for the needy of the stage and screen. A handsome scroll is also given to contributing members of the fund, based on the following scale: $10 from each theatre seating under 500; $15, under 1,000; $20, under 2,000; and $25 for houses with 2,000 seats or over. Reservations are beginning to pour in for the Bookers Frolic and Dance at the Hotel Alms, April 20. Admission is $1.55 with a de luxe dinner and all the trimmings. Joe Goetz, or any booker, will cheerfully relieve you of the price. Frank Cooper is opening a new house at Piketon, O. . . . E. G. Hall has opened the Hall Theatre at Cattlesberg . . . Joe Stern and William Karnap will reopen the Eastern Theatre at Ironton. It was decided to close the Southside permanently in this town. Bill Bien of Theatre Posters Supply is back from two months in Florida with a coat of tan that is the envy of the Row. United Artists’ Max Stahl and his family are off on a mid-season vacation with Stahl’s mother who lives in Farrell, Pa. Jack Shea, Shea Enterprises, New York, was here. Others calling at the Row included: Dale Woodmansee, Opera House, Felicity; Robert Boag, Lyric, Brooksville, and Harry Lashinsky, Ohio, Cambridge, and Seneca, Senecaville. Verlyn Copas reopened the Strand at Portsmouth March 28. The Empress at Portsmouth was reopened March 20. ‘‘Cloistered," booked into the Taft as a special pre-Easter attraction, grossed heavily. “Three Smart Girls” was returned for a fifth week by popular demand, according to H. Whitmar of RKO offices. Over 100 telephone calls were received requesting the feature be shown again. Stanley Jacques, who has returned from a successful tour of the W. Va. territory, reports business men in the coal areas greatly concerned over the labor situation. Contracts with miners expire April 1 and negotiations between miners and owners will include consideration of the 30-hour week; also a two weeks vacation with pay. Motion Picture theatres are operated in all the large mining towns by the companies owning mines. The New Thought Temple, Cincinnati, at loss for room for their Easter morning worshippers, solved the problem by using the Paramount and Orpheum theatres, located in the immediate neighborhood. The minister went from one theatre to the other giving the sermon. Both theatres belong to RKO, under Arthur Frudenfeld, general manager. Ralph Kinsler of Grand National has closed Lexington’s first run, also Welsh, W. Va. 16 BOXOFFICE :: April 3, 1937.