Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1939)

LOEW'S, RKO WILLING TO DROP N. Y. DUALS; AGAIN LAY DECISION IN INDEPENDENTS' LAP Harry Brandt Reported Behind Another Move To Oust Practice Paramount May Divulge Lineup Before Sales Force Gets It New York — Major circuits still are willing to drop duals and go for single bills in this territory provided independent theatre operators adopt similar policies, it is stated by spokesman for Loew’s and RKO. Loew’s recently attempted a second experiment with singles at the Ziegfeld and on Thursday changed over to duals again. It is reported Harry Brandt, head of the ITOA and president of the Brandt circuit of 75 theatres, 65 of which are straight picture units, is behind another move to eliminate double bills. In this regard, C. C. Moskowitz of Loew’s and John J. O’Connor reiterate they will go for such a plan only if subsequent run houses operated by independents follow suit. Several years ago, both major circuits curtailed duals for a number of weeks in the hope independents would join, but instead the smaller operators bulwarked double feature shows by increasing the number of nights money games and giveaways were held. There also is a plan afoot to drop early bird shows at 25 cents, but the Roxy apparently is the holdout. The idea is still being talked, but not being pressed for action. The 15-cent admission for children at all times at the Roxy is another thorn in the side of major circuit Broadway houses, but the theatre management is standing by its guns. An appeal may be made to 20th Century-Pox, which operates the Roxy with Irving Lesser as managing director, to change its admission policy. North Dakota "Divorce" Swansong Formalized Washington — Paving the way for the winding up of the North Dakota divorce case, the supreme court has ordered the issue remanded to the special district court which first passed upon it with instructions to dismiss as untenable. The order provided that the proceedings in the supreme court were to be without cost to either party, but left the way open for either the state or Paramount to file an application with the district court for an award of costs in that tribunal. The so-called North Dakota case was the first court proceedings to be brought involving the question of divorce of exhibition from production and distribution. It was based on a law adopted by the state, prohibiting a distributor from holding any interest in any North Dakota theatre, but the law was repealed before the supreme court had an opportunity to hear argument. New York — Neil F. Agnew, general sales manager, is understood planning to announce Paramount’s product plans for next season ahead of the annual sales convention. It is stated most of the contemplated stories with casts already have been lined up by Y. Frank Freeman and William LeBaron on the coast. However, Barney Balaban, president; Stanton Griffis, chairman of the executive board, and Agnew are due in Hollywood Monday to confer with Freeman and LeBaron on final plans. Robert M. Gillham, advertising and publicity head, returned from the coast early in the week. Paramount to Cut 15 Reels From Shorts List New York — Paramount is planning to cut 15 reels from its short subject lineup next season. Several of the current series will be reduced and it is likely an entire group will be dropped in the realignment of the schedule for 1939-40. There is no intention of cutting the number of features which will be continued at 58, of which six will be Hopalong Cassidys. All features and shorts on the current schedule will be released. Reports the company was planning to withdraw four and list them on next season’s program are denied here. Hunky and Spunky, who appear as the mule team in Color Classic shorts, will be listed for five in the 1939-40 lineup, Lou Diamond, shorts head, states. Gets "Crisis" Rights New York — Arthur Mayer and Joseph Burstyn have acquired distribution of “Crisis,” documentary film on Czechoslovakia. The film has been booked by Warner theatres in Pennsylvania. AMERICA -FIRST, LASTALWAYS! •t "My orders for tomorrow, like my orders for the past two weeks are continue to retreat. Remember, there are two military diseases for which hanging is the only fx. cure — spying and mutiny.” ★ MAN OF CONQUEST * RICHARD DIX as Sam Houston • Gail Patrick as Margaret Lea • Edward Ellis as Andrew Jackson Joan Fontaine as Eliza Allen • A Republic Picture BOXOFFICE April 1, 1939 17