Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

R. & R. Interstate Deal Still Brewing Dallas — First local confirmation of the United Artists Theatres-Robb & Rowley deal was received in Dallas early in the week, with the return of H. B. Robb, who has been on the west coast about two weeks. Robb said the United Artists group had purchased a 50 per cent interest in the R. & R. circuit which interest included the Texas, Rosewin and Midway, neighborhood theatres in Dallas. Robb said further that a deal was still in the making with the Interstate circuit for the control or outright purchase of those houses. He said this tentative deal does not hinge on the United Artists houses coming into the Texas territory — that the deal with Interstate can be made now the same as it could have been before R. k R. tied in with the UA circuit. George Rhinehart has arrived in Dallas from the west coast as treasurer of the R. & R. -United Artists setup. His headquarters are in the R. k R. general office where he will be permanently located, it was said. McCORMICK DEALS FOR FILM SPECIALS Atlanta — J. U. McCormick of Amity Films has announced the closing of a deal with Lou O’Brasky, general sales manager of Standard Pictures Distributing Co., for eight special features during the coming year. The first will be “The Deer Slayer,” a James Fenimore Cooper story, August 1, followed by “The First Woman,” Saturday Evening Post story by Margaret Culkin Banning; “The Daughter of Ramona,” by Robert E. Callahan; “Big Business,” an original story; “Argentine Take-Off,” a musical by Barry Shipman; “Night School,” original story; “Lone Star,” original story; “Bet a Million,” original story by Nell Shipman. NINE ON MONOGRAM LINEUP COMPLETED New York — Monogram starts its releasing program on June 30 with almost 25 per cent of its 1937-38 product completed, according to word reaching the home office from W. Ray Johnston, president, who has been conducting production conferences on the coast. In addition to “The Thirteenth Man,” which inaugurates the program, eight other pictures of the total of 42 are ready for release. They are “The Hoosier Schoolmaster,” “Blazing Barriers,” “Paradise Isle,” “Legion of Missing Men,” “The Luck of Roaring Camp,” “The Outer Gate,” “Shadows of the Orient” and “Riders of the Dawn,” initial Jack Randall musical western. Wilby-Kinceq Heads Meet in Spartanburg Charlotte — Managers of Wilby-Kincey theatres in the Carolinas held their annual banquet in Spartanburg last week. H. F. Kincey, of Charlotte, head of the Wilby-Kincey theatres, and Norris Hataway of Greensboro, head of the Little Seven group of theatre in North Carolina, attended. C. E. Stone, manager of the State, Spartanburg, was chairman of arrangements and toastmaster. On the committee with him were Neil McGill of Charlotte, Richmond Gage, Salisbury, Harvey Smith, Winston-Salem, Sanford Jordan of High Point, and Ralph Blalock and Dan Austell of Spartanburg, S. C. R. R. Talbert is city manager of the Wilby-Kincey organization in Spartanburg. g W. McKINLEY, who was booker and office manager for United Artists here, has been transferred to Washington, D. C. Ed Crowell of Grand National office has been secured to fill the vacancy made by the departure of McKinley. Lane Howard came from the Grand National office in Atlanta to fill the vacancy with Grand National. Douglas Henderson is filling the position of ad sales clerk with Republic made vacant by the resignation of Harold Francis. Hazel Johnson of Republic is back from a vacation spent in Boston, New York and other points in that vicinity. Manager Cy Dillon of Republic and R. H. Bradley, booker, have returned from the regional convention in New Orleans. Neil McGill, manager of the Imperial, is away on his vacation at Myrtle Beach. Louise Gribble and Frank Burdell of the Imperial staff are also away on their summer holiday. Eugene Street, city manager of the Wilby-Kincey houses in Knoxville, Tenn., was a recent visitor in Charlotte. Street was formerly city manager of the Charlotte theatres operated by North Carolina Theatres, Inc. Allied Signs Devaney Minneapolis — A one-year contract between Northwest Allied States and J. P. Devaney, one of Minnesota’s foremost lawyers and a former chief justice of the state supreme court, was signed by W. A. Steffes. The contract names Devaney as counsel and advisor of the organization and provides that he shall be a member of the Northwest Allied executive committee. DECRIES FUN KILLING And Poker Players Warned They May Be Next Austin, Tex. — Replying to a telegram concerning a Texas legislative proposal to prohibit Bank Night drawings. Representative Harry L. McKee of Port Arthur wrote the following letter on June 9 to Morris Clemmons, Port Arthur city manager for Jefferson Amusement Co.: Mr. Morris Clemmons Jefferson Amusement Company Port Arthur, Texas My deer fren: I get your telegraph, yes, .in which you say stop Bank Nights, no. Like you I theenk damn bad when peeple can’t have some fun, yes. sometimes I scratch my head and theenk that Legislature is like craw-fish. He go ahead mighty fast backing up. On run fast race track horse bill I vote no while lltj traw-fish vote yes for Jimmie Allred, like Huey Long. Today big court say Bank Night is lottery, so see no use to pass crazy bill to make law worse. With horses gone, no dogs to run, dem funny paddles which church sells to give away cake < an be no more but not with vote of this feller. Also, poker player he better look out 'cause crawfish Legislators are after heem, yes. Perhaps I see you in bug house soon. NEW ORLEANS (Continued from page 144) testants on Canal street recently, were shown at the Polly Theatre, across the river from New Orleans, Saturday night, June 19. Geo. C. Goethals is publicity director. Proposed rebuilding of the French Opera House has been endorsed by the New Orleaiis Better Films Chapter. The chapter will not convene again until September, at which time the group will make plans for its annual motion picture institute to be held in October, it was announced by Mrs. J. M. White, president. Plans were discussed for the children’s vacation theatre to be sponsored by the chapter during the summer months. A two-day session of the Warner Bros, distributing organization was held in New Orleans June 19 and 20, with A. W. Schwalberg of New York City, supervisor of exchanges for Vitagraph Inc., and P. M. Jack of Dallas, southern division manager, in attendance. Problems of distribution and promotion were discussed. About 30 district managers attended. Sessions were held at the Roosevelt Hotel. SPECIAL ADVERTISING BRADDOCK LOUIS FIGHT PICTURES CARDS, ONE SHEETS AND THREE SHEETS Order Direct TRIANGLE POSTER AND PRINTING CO. 163 Walton St. 2029 Jackson St. ATLANTA DALLAS JACK BARRETT announces the new location of the ACCESSORY CONSOLIDATION SERVICE at — 183V2 Walton St. — P. O. Box 2024 WA. 8375 ATLANTA 150 BOXOFFICE June 26, 1937.