Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

NEW YORK (Continued from page 20A) Jimmy Ritz already en route to Hollywood, the other two members of that anticsome trio, Harry and Jimmy, will follow at the end of the week . . . George S. Kaufmanfirst for a double O of his “You Can’t Take It With You’’ in Chicago and then for three months of Hollywood . . . It’s a vacation abroad for Edmund Lowe, via the file de France . . . Shopping and shows for Ketti Gallian . . . The Towers at the Waldorf have Fritz Lang. Morton Sellner, formerly with Pox and UA, has been appointed director of advertising for Astor Pictures . . . “Bests” from the Columbia College year book: Picture: “Mr. Deeds Goes to Town.” Play: “Tovarich.” Song: “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.” Actor: Charles Laughton. Stage Actor: Leslie Howard. Stage Actress: Katharine Cornell. Topic of Conversation: Sex . . . Dancing on ice as well as a floor show on skates is attracting raves for Washington’s Shoreham Hotel. Sam Shayon of Panchon & Marco’s office here handled the deal. Now do we know how Dashiell Hammett gets off those zippy “Thin Man” stories? Damage allegedly done by beer, hard liquor and cigarettes to the furnishings of a house leased to Hammett in Princeton, N. J., is the subject of litigation instituted by the landlord. The controversy over the withdrawal of “Amphitryon” here brings to mind H. I. Phillips’ quip in the New York Sun: “The Nazi government now controls the German movie industry. Well, those German pictures were too heavy for individuals to handle anyhow” . . . Condor Pictures has leased space in the Empire Trust Bldg. . . . Louis A. Solomon, film importer, has taken an office in the RKO Bldg. No relation: Edwin C. Hill, former Movietone News commentator, goes back to his own air program April 5 . . . Blair Hill has resigned from Dictograph Products Co. to publish Hearing Aid News. The controversy over the withdrawal of Club at the Alvin, the first Frolic in three years, netted $5,300 . . .Harold Rodner and A. H. Schwartz were in Saranac over the weekend, discussing details for a new operating room at the Will Rogers Memorial Hospital. Joseph Bernhard, general manager of Warner Bros, theatre circuit, was notified before sailing on the Paris for Europe Saturday, that Governor Earle of Pennsylvania had appointed him to the committee arranging the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution. Date for Hearing Atlantic City, N. J.— Federal Referee Robert E. Steedle has set April 20 for resumption of the William Pox bankruptcy examinations here. Hearings were originally scheduled for March 31, but Steedle asked postponement because of the delay in decisions on federal court matters which involve Pox and affect certain phases of the examination here. THEATRE MOVES IN NEW YORK AREA New York — Harry Brandt has taken over the Folk Theatre at 12th St. and Second Ave., Manhattan, and has renamed it the Century, making the 77th unit in his fast growing circuit. The Zenith, newest in the Leff-Myers chain, at 170th St. and Jerome Ave., Bronx, will open its doors April 15. There are 600 seats. The same circuit has taken over the Radio, in the Bronx, from M. Shane. Ed Spiegel has closed the Parkway in the Bronx. The Highland, Highland, N. J., has been acquired by William L. Berman. It was formerly run by Robert Horowitz. The 242-seat newsreel house going up in the Grand Central Terminal will open May 3. Friday night saw the opening of two theatres. The Schuyler, a new 600-seat theatre at 84th St. and Columbus Ave., Manhattan, got under way under the joint sponsorship of Ben Knoble, William Yost and John Bolte. The inaugural program consisted of a single feature, a policy the management plans to maintain indefinitely. On the same evening. Springer & Cocalis reopened the Loyal at Washington Heights, formerly known as the Majestic. Seating capacity has been reduced from 1,500 to 800. The policy is double features. POCAHONTAS THEATRE CONCURS WITH UNION Richmond, Va. — A step toward unionization of all theatres in Mercer, McDowell, Wyoming, Tazewell, Bland, Raleigh and Giles counties was made when the Palace Theatre of Pocahontas, Va., signed contracts with the lATSE, an AFL affiliate. Terms, as announced by Harris Boome, union representative, provide for a 20 per cent wage increase and time and a half for employment on Sunday. GRAINGER ON COAST Hollywood — J. R. Grainger, Universal's general sales manager, arrived here late this week for conferences with Charles R. Rogers on the company’s 1937-38 feature schedule. RICHMOND QN April 26 Mrs. Jean Woodson Koenig, cashier at the Byrd, will celebrate her 25th anniversary in the boxoffices of Richmond theatres. She was a familiar figure at the old Rex. the Victor, the Odeon, and other playhouses of the silent days. She has been at the Byrd a little over two years. Allen Sparrow of Loew’s played host for a few hours last week to George Jones and Harry Berstein who ran down to Norfolk from Richmond to take a look at Sparrow’s show and to eat hot panned crab meat. For the first time in several years, Richmond is listening to organists in two theatres. Bill Dalton, for three years at Loew’s, opened at the Byrd on Easter Monday. Harvey Hammond, formerly at Loew’s in Baltimore, has been officiating at the local Loew organ for the past month. Jack Goldstein, with Columbia, in town for a few days ahead of “Top of the Town.” Charles Findley, making a good will tour for “March of Time,” was in Richmond just long enough to contact the papers and theatres COMMUNITY HONORS JAMES M. GRAVER Willow Grove, Pa. — James Maurice Graver, manager of Warner’s Grove Theatre here, has been awarded the “Distinguished Citizens Award” for “outstanding service to the community.” The presentation was made by Commander James White, of the Liberty Post No. 308, American Legion. The award is made each year by the Legion post to the citizen of Willow Groves who does the most for the community. SEEK THEATRE BANDIT New York — Queens police were this week on the lookout for the lone bandit who held up the Merrick Theatre, Jamaica, L. I., and escaped with a reported $700. Charles Sherrin, the assistant manager, was accosted by the thug while preparing to take the money to the bank Monday. HEADQUARTERS FOR EXHIBITORS WHEN IN BOSTON niVVn d II 455 Columbus Ave. 1 nXl dim V ¥ Boston, Mass. BETWEEN DARTMOUTH STREET & MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE Six minutes’ walk from film district Three minutes from ali Back Bay Stations. Elevated bus line by door. Transfers to all parts of Boston and suburbs. 150 ROOMS, ALL WITH BATH Suites for families of four; parlor, two bedrooms, bath — $4.00, $5.00, $6.00 a day. Double rooms — $2.50, $3.00, $3.50, $4.00 a day Sinjrie rooms — $2.00, $2.50 a day SPECIAL WEEKLY RATES Garage nearby — Cars called for and delivered. Rate 50c for 24 hours. Excellent New England Food Served in the Savoy Cafe Club Breakfast 15c to 65c Also a la earte menu Luneheons 25e to 5®c No IJcense Dining Room Dinners 50c, ISc, $1.00 No room service charge GEORGE E. CLARK, Manager BOXOFFICE April 3. 1937. 20-C