Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

Several Pennsylvania Bills Await Passage STEINBERGS SIGN GLASSNER TO STAFF Pittsburgh — A. & S. Steinberg, theatre equipment and supply dealers, have acquired the services of R. M. Glassner, experienced air-conditioning engineer, who is supervising the installation of complete cooling, ventilating, heating and air conditioning equipment at a number of theatres hereabouts. Formerly connected with the Claridge Fan Co. with factory at Kalamazoo, Mich., as one of this firm’s leading engineers, Glassner has made a thorough study of air-conditioning’s application to modern theatres. Installation of a cooling system at the Paramount studios. Long Island, was done under his supervision, and his many years in air-conditioning work at theatres has given him a vast experience in this field. At present he is supervising the installation of complete air-conditioning and heating systems at the Grant Theatre, Millvale, and the Sewickley Theatre, Sewickley. Edward Jacobson, who is in charge of the construction work for A. &. S. Steinberg, has completed 18 jobs for them. All air-conditioning installations are under the personal supervision of Glassner and Jacobson, combining the skill and workmanship of the scientific and mechanical requirements. Numerous installations of Polar Aire systems by the firm last season, together with new systems now being built to requirements and many new inquiries and with estimates being quoted, a record number of new heating and air-conditioning installations at theatres throughout the territory is predicted. "23 "/2 HOURS LEAVE" CLICKS AT PREVIEW Pittsburgh — Exhibitors who witnessed a screening of Douglas MacLean’s “23 V2 Hours Leave,” starring James Ellison, are exceptionally well pleased with this feature comedy. Recent preview was arranged by Jules Lapidus, local manager for Grand National Pictures. Those oldtimers in the trade who well remember the original silent version of “23 V2 Hours Leave,” which skyrocketed Douglas MacLean to screen fame (a historic “sleeper” in the industry, if there ever was one), are enthusiastic about the new production from the Mary Roberts Rinehart story. Jimmy Ellison, star of the Harry Sherman western productions for Paramount and recently seen as Buffalo Bill in DeMille’s “The Plainsman,” scores a decided hit as the “rookie” on leave. The picture is hand-tailored for special tieups with American Legion and V. F. W. Posts and other organizations of this nature. Made for laughing purposes only, this is an outstanding comedy production, exceptionally well cast and directed. James Ellison, handsome star, is headed for boxoffice heights, exhibitors agree after viewing “23*/^ Hours Leave.” Lapidus states that Grand National has another winner in “Girl Loves Boy.” Screeno Will Appeal (Continued from page 14) Trendle’s State Theatre, first-run double bill downtown house. Nicol, in answering charges of S. Brooks Barron, Schreiber attorney, that the houses were not in competition wrote that “it is not the plaintiff’s (Trendle’s) duty to prove damages to entitle it to injunctive relief but rather that irreparable damage to its business will occur if the unlawful act complained of is allowed to continue.” Barron argued before Judge Nicol that “Skilful Screeno,” as the game is termed in Michigan, required skill because the player had to add up figures on the card. Nicol, in his decision, wrote that “while I do not believe that defendants’ counsel will seriously contend that the ability to add two or three numbers on a card could be called skill, however, the element of skill is slight here compared to that of chance.” Screeno to Fight Ouster While Ray Meurer and Garvet, who handled the Trendle case, prepared this week to go ahead with additional cases to oust Screeno and even Bank Night from other Detroit theatres, Barron emphatically said that “we will fight to the last ditch. Skilful Screeno is purely an interesting game and no lottery whatever. We feel confident the supreme court will concur in our thoughts, and reverse judge Nicol’s decision. Meurer said that his next steps will be to have the injunctions restraining the police department and Prosecutor Duncan McCrea’s office from interfering with Screeno and Bank Night dissolved in circuit court. Affects Only Schreiber House This decision by Judge Nicol, it was said this week, affects the operation of Screeno in Schreiber’s theatre only, and that it may continue in other houses. Barron is planning to seek a court order staying the injunction against Schreiber until the supreme court passes on the decision. Beacon Reopened Pittsburgh— Beacon Theatre, formerly the Princess, Squirrel Hill, reopened Easter Sunday, presenting Universal’s “Three Smart Girls,” after having been closed for a week for extensive remodeling and redecorating. CARTOONS AT SELECTED Cleveland — Selected Pictures Corp. will distribute the series of “Old Sam” color cartoons in this territory, according to the deal made with Astor Pictures Corp. Pittsburgh — An act which would provide that “certain amusement places are not liable for the tax imposed herein,” introduced into the Pennsylvania legislature by Messrs. Brigerman and McGee, is a measure to amend section one of the act, approved May 20, 1913 (P. L. 229), entitled “An act defining and regulating public amusements, and places used therefore, requiring and regulating the licensing thereof, restricting the scope of certain acts of Assembly relating thereto, and providing penalties for violation of this act.” Only the new title of the bill was available here at press time, with the proposal before the committee on ways and means. The act is known as house bill No. 1626. Representative Dougherty has introduced an act, house bill No. 1752, which would repeal existing laws prohibiting the granting licenses for the sale of vinous, spiritous, malt or brewed liquors to certain places of amusement or to places connected with such places of amusement. The measure is in the hands of the committee on state boards. Rest Bill Before Governor Pennsylvania’s act, house bill No. 928 and senate bill No. 457, having passed both bodies, the measure is before the governor for his signature. This act requires persons employing others in or about motion picture theatres to allow them at least one calendar day of rest in each calendar week. Individual act, requiring one full day of rest each week for projectionists, has passed the house and has passed second reading in the senate, where it is known as senate bill No 383, and has been recommitted to the committee on labor and industry. Gross receipts tax act, having passed the house, has passed first reading in the senate, where it is known as senate bill No. 470. Chain Tax Senate Hearing Chain store tax act, which passed the house when Governor Earle cracked the whip, is in the senate before the committee on finance. There will be a public hearing in the senate chamber on April 6 at eight o’clock on this measure, senate bill No. 655. Harrisburg reports have it that there is a possibility that the bill will be amended to include a tax on chain theatres. The 40-hour week bill announced by the Administration has been abandoned. House bill No. 796, introduced by Representative Yourishin, which would amend the public school code, provides for the licensing of motion picture operators at schools where motion pictures are exhibited. Committee on education is studying this measure. Pennsylvania federation of labor, in convention at Harrisburg, is urging the passage of numerous labor measures which would affect motion picture exhibition. All other measures, formerly reported in Boxoffice, remain in status quo. BOXOFFICE :: April 3, 1937. 19