Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

Name Chairmen for Rogers Fund New York — Thirty-five branch managers have been appointed as zone chairmen to organize territorial campaigns for the Will Rogers Memorial Fund in the national drive to be held the week of April 30. Each zone head is selecting a group of representative exhibitors to serve on local committees. Theatre collections are planned, in addition to theatre memberships and individual contributions, for the maintenance of the Will Rogers Memorial Hospital, Saranac Lake, N. Y. The zone chairmen are: William Scully, M-G-M, New York; Phillip Fox, Columbia, Albany, N. Y.; John Ezell, Universal, Atlanta: Tom Spry, United Artists, Boston; Sid Samson, 20th Century-Fox, Buffalo; B. Bishop, M-G-M, Charlotte; Clyde Eckhardt, 20th Century-Fox, Chicago; Joe Oulahan, Paramount, Cincinnati; Prank Drew, M-G-M, Cleveland; Duke Clark, Paramount, Columbus; J. Frank Shea, United Artists, Dallas; R. J. Morrison, 20th Century-Fox, Denver; S. J. Mayer. 20th Century-Fox, Des Moines; Fred North, Warner, Detroit; George Landis, 20th Century-Fox. Indianapolis; Erman Price, Paramount, Jacksonville; William Warner, Warner, Kansas City. Also Carroll Peacock. Paramount, Los Angeles; Tom Young, 20th Century-Fox, Memphis; Sam Shurman, M-G-M, Milwaukee: Ben Blotcky, Paramount, Minneapolis: Barney Pitkin, RKO, New Haven; Harold Wilks, Paramount, New Orleans: R. B. Williams, RKO, Oklahoma City; D. V. McLucas, United Artists, Omaha; Bob Lynch, M-G-M, Philadelphia; Ira H. Cohn, 20th Century-Fox, Pittsburgh: Charles Powers, 20th Century-Fox, Portland: Morris Schweitzer, Paramount, St. Louis; F. H. Smith, Paramount, Salt Lake City; Cecil House, Paramount, San Antonio: Charles Muehlman, Warner, San Francisco; Ed Lamb, RKO, Seattle; Sherman Pitch, RKO, Sioux Falls; Sam Galanty, Columbia, Washington, D. C. Darrell Kepler Dead Sharon, Pa. — Darrell Kepler, 44, inventor of the Vigilant Safety Control, a safety device for motion picture projectors, died at the wheel of his auto late last week. UA RELEASING CORONATION SHORT New York — United Artists will release a one-reel short, produced in England and titled “Preparing for the Coronation,” in several foreign countries, annoimces Arthur W. Kelly, vice-president in charge of foreign distribution. BERLIN BARS CHARLIE CHAN Berlin — With no explanation given, the Third Reich censor has banned “Charlie Chan at the Opera.” Apparently the theme of Detective Charlie’s activities ran contrary to the propaganda ministry’s policy. ACADEMY BULLETIN EXPLAINS NEW UNIT Hollyw'ood — Outlining the changes in equipment which will be necessary in motion picture theatres which desire to adopt the new standard electric characteristic for two-way sound reproducing systems, a technical bulletin has been released to all exhibitors by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Elimination of the old practice of adjusting theatre sound equipment to satisfy individual groups has been accomplished through the new standard characteristic. Showmen will be enabled to change over at a nominal cost, and, according to the bulletin’s advice, releases of all major companies will be recorded to fit the new unit. The system was evolved by the Academy’s research committee, headed by John Hilliard, with the cooperation of Electrical Research Products, Inc., and the RCA Mfg. Co. Test runs were made at various theatres in the Los Angeles area. Chief advantage of the unit is uniform quality of sound reproduction from all producing companies in all theatres. Drive Against Taxes New York — Widespread repeal of sales taxes and chain store taxes, simultaneously with the placing of reliance on the personal income tax for a much larger portion of tax revenues, are the first major recommendations for the improvement of the nation’s tax system released by the committee on taxation of the Twentieth Century Fund following the completion of a two year survey by a staff of tax experts, according to an announcement by Thomas I. Parkinson, president of the Equitable Life Assurance Society and chairman of the Fund’s special committee. COWAN TO COAST Hollywood — Rubey Cowan, formerly with the National Broadcasting Co., is here to assume his new duties in the Paramount Studio. He will handle radio contacts. Ned E. Depinet, vice-president of RKO Radio Pictures deft), congratulates William McShea on his promotion to the post of assistant to A. A. Schubart, center. Schubart’s new title is manager of exchange operations for the company. (Metropolitan Photo). • RKVIEW FLASHES * ANOTHER DAWN (WB)— The rank and file oi iilm patrons will find the action unnatural and the plot stereotyped in this synoptical version of "The Charge of the Light Brigade" which lacks the dynamic action of that epic. Kay Francis, Errol Flynn. MILE-A-MINUTE LOVE (Fanchon Royer)— A strictly formula action yam played out against a background of speed-boat racing, this low-budget production hits a satisfactory standard. William Bakewell, Arietta Duncan. SILENT BARRIERS (GB) — Built on epic proportions, there is excitement and thrills aplenty in this ambitious melodrama woven around the adventures encountered in the building of the Canadian Pacific railroad. Richard Arlen, Antoinette Cellier. THINK FAST, MR. MOTO (20th-Fox)— A smooth blend of action, suspense, mystery and comedy results in a thrilling picture, destined for boxoffice success. Peter Lorre, Virginia Field. TOO MANY WIVES (RKO)— A force comedy that smacks of the old silent days, this mild effort is short on laughs and below the standard of the usual RKO product. John Morley, Anne Shirley. COMPLETE REVIEWS on the above pictures will appear in an early issue of BOXOFFICE. Into Own Building Cleveland — The Brush Development Co. on April 1 moved into its own four-story building at 3311 Perkins Ave. The history of this company has been one of continual growth and progress in the electronic field and in the advancement of public address equipment. Hold Over "Heaven" New York — “Seventh Heaven” was being held over for a second week at 22 key city situations, according to reports received at the 20th Century-Fox home office here late last week. Among these were New York’s Radio City Music Hall. Ninth Radio Year New York — Freeman F. Gosden and Charles J. Correll, better known as “Amos and Andy,” recently observed their ninth anniversary on the air in the same series of programs. They have been heard in more than 5,000 broadcasts. 8 BOXOFFICE :: April 10, 1937.