Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

HENDERSON HEADS N. Y. PRESS AGENTS New York— Ray Henderson has been elected president of the New York Theatrical Press Agents, a recently-organized group. Other officers are Elise Chisholm, vice-president: Phyllis Perlman, secretary: Oliver M. Taylor, treasurer, and Richard Maney, John Peter Toohey, Bernard Simon, Charles Washburn and William Fields on the board of governors. The next meeting will be at the Algonquin here April 15 at which time the constitution, bylaws and a basic minimum contract will be discussed. Would Revive Legit New York — Formed for the purpose of bringing back life to the legitimate stage in general and to the road in particular, the American Theatre Council, which has the backing of the Dramatists Guild, Actors Equity Assn, and the League of New York Theatres, will hold its convention at the Astor Hotel here from May 24 to 27 inclusive. Hold Private Showing Philadelphia — A private showing of Columbia’s picture, “I Promise to Pay,” wUl be held in the Mayor’s reception room in City Hall, Monday, April 12. The picture is an expose of the loan shark racket and the showing is being sponsored by the Better Business Bureau. The showing was arranged by Bob Sigmund, Columbia’s press representative in this area. Pathe Reports Profit New York — Pathe Film and subsidiaries, for the year ended December 31, last, this week reported a profit of $183,953 after taxes and charges, or 22 cents on 585,095 shares of common stock. This compares with $213,360, or 33 cents a share, in the period Aug. 15, 1935, to Dec. 28, 1935. Higher 1936 Income Toronto — Famous Players Canadian Corp., Ltd., and subsidiaries for 53 weeks ended January 2 reported a net income of $576,239, compared with a net of $335,266 for the year ended on Dec. 28, 1935. The 1936 income is equal to $1.45 a share on 397,524 capital shares, as against 84 cents a share for 1935. Northumberland Fire Northumberland, Pa. — The Savoy Theatre here was damaged by smoke and water when a fire swept the Savoy Bldg. The blaze was started by a cigarette in one of the apartments adjoining the theatre, according to firemen. HOFFMAN SUBS FOR BERNHARD New York — I. J. Hoffman, Warner zone manager in the New Haven, Conn., territory, is looking after theatre activities at the home office here in the absence of Joseph Bernhard, head of theatre operations, who is expected to return from Europe about May 1. gAM GALANTY, Charles Schulman, Fulton Brylawski and Harry Brown were the sportsmen present at last Monday night's bouts at Turner's citadel of sock . . . Genial Ed Kuykendall spent a few energetic days here and he tells all that he looks ahead with avidity to his London excursion this summer . . . WHN's Herb Petty, always a welcome visitor to his army of friends here, dropped in from Gotham . . . Loew’s Harry Bernstein visited. Mrs. Louise Noorian Miller reports installation of new sound equipment at the Rialto . . . Angie Ratto reports the same thing at the Palace . . . Neatest stunt of the week was sired hy Hardie Meakin who is searching for the town’s speediest hotel waiter, as one of his exploitive outlets on “History Is Made at Night.” The Loew Theatres and the Washington Times are bringing in Eddie Carrier’s crew of M-G-M cameramen who will give locals free screen and voice tests and the two most promising personalities here will win a round trip to Hollywood . . . Andy Kelly and Arthur Godfrey bumped into each other in New York last weekend and did the town together. Phil Lampkin is currently in his sixth year as “Guest” conductor of the Capitol orchestra. ‘‘Good Earth” opened to a most refreshing figure, reports Metro’s Norman Pyle . . . Sam Galanty and Harry Brown as cochairmen of "Variety Club’s sports committee announce that this year’s golf tourney is to be staged at Congressional Country Club on May 7. It will be an all-day conviviality and the ladies are invited so if it’s tickets you want call Warner’s A1 Pratt. Rudy Berger and Fred Rippengale, boss and office majiager respectively of the Metro exchange, are elated no end that their firm’s convention is to be held in Hollywood next month. Johnny Payette’s boys tossed a cocktail reception for songman Bert Granoff . . . A1 Waldron and bride came in from Florida, but we hear that A1 will return to the warm climes again. The happiest people now in town must be Ray and Virginia Bell who will sail for Italy on the 22nd, this being the first prize won by the Loew publicist for his campaign on “Garden of Allah” . . . The Lou Broivns drove in from Baltimore to inspect the Capital . . . The Arthur DeTittas have ended their Florida basking . . . Sidney Lust, according to all reports, came very, very close to spearing one of the most coveted fish it is possible to hook. HIRLIMAN, SNELL CONFER New York — George Hirliman, president of Condor Pictures, arrived from the west coast on Wednesday to confer with Frank Snell, in charge of the company’s eastern activities, regarding production schedules for the remainder of the season. PLAN 600 SEATER FOR NEW ROCHELLE New York — Plans were filed this week for a 600-seat theatre to be erected at 603 Main St., New Rochelle, Sam Minskoff, the builder, said an operating deal has already been closed with Sam Strausberg. Cost of the project is estimated at $60,000. Scacchetti & Siegel are the architects. The Interboro circuit has taken over the "Vanity and Sunset, both on Fifth Ave., Brooklyn, and incorporated them under the name of Vanset Theatres, Inc. Both houses were formerly run by the Barr Brothers. Foreign Bills at Belmont The Belmont, on West 48th St., has reopened with a foreign film policy. A twinbill program of reissues will obtain until some expected new product arrives. The Glory on Cannon St. has been taken over by the Cornwall Theatre Corp., the company controlled by Ed Peskay. WB Lexington Buy Richmond — The Warner chain has purchased the Lyric Theatre building at Lexington, Va., from the John Sheridan estate for $40,000, according to Charles Glasgow, Lexington, counsel for the firm. A 10-year lease on the building held by Dan Weinberg involving a rental of $22,500 also was purchased by Warner, the attorney said. NEW YORK (Continued from page 26) department has discovered the fact that male stars are born, not made (in films). Robert Montgomery is casting eyes toward a New York stage engagement . . . Nat Pendleton gets off Wednesday on the Queen Mary for the GB studios in London . . . Dave Rubinoff quits his air program next Sunday and will immediately ejitrain for the 20th Century-Fox lot .. . Via auto as far as Miami, Doris Nolan and sister Gladys are headed for Havana . . . Eddie Garr steps into his first film soon for Universal . . . Billy and Bobby Mauch, with their ?nother, are expected in town momentarily for a vacation . . . Gypsy Rose Lee leaves New York next week to begin work on the coast for 20th Century-Fox. PETTIJOHN TO INDIANA MEET New York — Charles C. Pettijohn, general counsel for the MPPDA, will leave here Wednesday for Ft. Wayne, Ind., where he is scheduled to be the principal speaker the next day at the Indiana Indorsers of Photoplays’ convention at the Hotel Anthony. NEW VIRGINIA HOUSE Richmond — Work has been begun on a new and modern fireproof theatre for Chase City, Va. Riley E. Green, proprietor of the Nucozy, is the builder. 30 BOXOFnCE :: April 10, 1937.