Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

S IE A T T IIL IE Radio Not Competition to Theatres, Saps Gilman San Francisco — Radio is not a competitor to the theatre, declared Don Gilman, National Broadcasting Co. vice-president, in a press luncheon and roundtable interview which was broadcast from here this week over a Pacific coast network. Many Radio Editors Present The luncheon, attended by several radio editors from newspapers of the San Francisco bay region, was a part of the daylong observance of the air chain’s tenth anniversary. Among those present were Darrell Donnell, Examiner; Herb Caen, Chronicle; Bob Hall, CallBulletin; Jack Burroughs, Oakland Tribune; Bill Holmes, Oakland PostEnquirer; Helen Peters, Berkeley Gazette; and Helen Civelli and Claude A. LaBelle, S. F. News. LaBelle, who is both radio and drama editor of the local ScrippsHoward, introduced each radio editor. Questions asked had been checked earlier by radio officials, but Gilman’s answers were impromptu. Other statements made by the radio executive were: Television would eventually center in Hollywood because "they will have the talent and the technicians there." He added, however, that commercial broadcasting for television would not be here "for at least two years." Radio benefits all entertainment industries by raising the general level of audience appreciation, especially of the dramatic. Diversified Talent Needed Radio would increasingly develop its own acting talent rather than draw on stage or screen. "We don’t need people who can do only one thing no matter how well," Gilman said, “as much as we want people who can do several things.” Asked what truth there was in the old Ascap claim that too constant radio playing of song hits from film and stage musicals hurt the song sales, the NBC executive answered that he was unable to say, adding, “however, it has been proved that songs not played over the radio don’t sell at all.” Explains “One Man’s Family” Deal The on again, off again "sale” of “One Man’s Family,” ace west coast radio serial to Paramount for picturization was "an experiment,” Gilman said. He stressed the point that NBC’s announcements of the sale when actually no papers had been signed was in the nature of a trial-balloon to test public opinion. Paramount’s production of the serial was dropped this winter after more than four months of negotiations during which Carlton E. Morse, author, had worked with studio staff writers on the film script, and several of the major characters had taken tests for film appearances in their air roles. JOHN DILLON VISITS FRISCO WITH BRIDE San Francisco — John N. Dillon, 20th Century-Fox executive, was here last week at the Sir Francis Drake on his honeymoon with the new Mrs. Dillon, who until a few months ago was known as Tatiana Urova, socially prominent member of this city’s “white” Russian colony of exiles and emigres. The 23-year-old Russian’s romance with Dillon started recently when she left San Francisco to try her luck in the film capital. The 40-year-old film man met her on the 20th Century-Fox lot. ELLENSBURG, WASH., STRUCTURE STARTED Ellensburg, ’Wash. — .Construction of a $50,000 building has been started here by J. E. Shields, well-known theatre man of this section. The general contract for the building has been awarded to J. W. Bailey of Seattle. The ventilation and decoration contract have not as yet been awarded. It is expected that the house will be opened within the next 100 days, on a lease from the Evans Investment Co. or Spokane. Name of the house has not been decided. FTP Moves Offices Los Angeles — The regional offices of the Federal Theatre Project have been moved, in compliance with orders from Harry Hopkins, national ’WPA administrator, to 155 "West Washington. Three floors have been leased to house the project’s print shop, booking offices, research department, art department and the executive offices of J. Howard Miller, regional director, and George Gerwing, state director. About 200 employes moved to the new quarters. Miller returned here from Washington, D. C., where he attended executive sessions. Again a Candidate Los Angeles — For the third successive year. Jack Berman, local circuit operator, has cast his hat into the political ring and announced his candidacy for the post of councilman from the ninth district. He was defeated at the two previous elections. BREWSTER'S CARIBOU OPENED Brewster, Wash. — The Caribou Theatre held its opening here during the week. The interior has been redecorated a cooling system installed and the seating capacity stepped up to 800. O. LUKAN, who resigned from the Sterling chain of theatres recently, was tendered a banquet by his associates at which he was presented with a handsome gold watch. Lukan, formerly owner of a chain of suburban theatres, joined Sterling a few years ago. He has sold his interests in the chain and plans to take a long vacation before entering any other business. Word from A. K. MacMartin in Oakland informs us that Mac has now joined his attraction with the Foley and Burke Combined Shows. Mas is well known in these parts especially in Seattle and Vancouver, Canada, where he was theatre manager, newspaper editor, trade paper correspondent, advance agent and exploiteer for chain theatres. Bill Hudson, former newsreel cameraman for Pathe and M-G-M locally, and who spends most of his present time on the Row, has written and had published his first real book, “Icy Hell.” Story is based on Bill’s adventures when he was official cameraman for the Harvard Museum expedition in the North, and also when he was with Sir Hubert Wilkins in his attempted flight over the Arctic. “Lost Horizon” will be road-shown in this town at the Metropolitan Theatre, legit house. Mike Newman, ace publicity man for Columbia, is now in town putting on an elaborate campaign. The picture will be shown twice daily and the prices range from 50 cents to $1.50, plus tax. Bob Walker of the Walker Screen Co. with offices in New York and St. Louis is in Seattle conferring with a local equipment house. Walker makes his headquarters in St. Louis. Art Hile, formerly with Jensen-Von Herberg theatres, has been made inanager of the Seventh Street Theatre m Hoquiam. This was announced by Al Rosenberg , division ynanager for Fox Evergreen theatres in Washington. Fred Hill, manager of sales and seating division for the Heywood-Wakefield Co., is here from Boston with Ben Shearer of the B. F. Shearer Co., distributors for the Heywood-Wakefield product in this territoi-y. Many in show business were stunned by the sudden death of Sandy Manheimer a few days ago. Sandy was looking over a piece of property he had just rented when he suddenly slumped over and died. His (Continued on next page) FILM... TRAILERS (SOUND OR SILENT) That Make Your Screen Your Best Advertising Medium! • ATTENTION COMPELLING EFFECTS • QUICK — SURE SERVICE MOTION PICTURE SERVICE CO. G. Iv. KAKSKI, M{rr. 125 Hyde St., San Francisco. Phone OUdway 9162 42 BOXOFFICE :: April 10, 1937.