Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1939)

fyJANAGER EDGAR LYNCH is back at the Warner Theatre with a Virginia Beach tan. Arthur “Otto” Esposito of the Loew-Poli did a bit of warbling over the radio during the theatre’s street broadcast. Manager Morris Rosenthal of the Majestic, playing the English film, “The Sun Never Sets,’’ during the U. S. visit of King George and Queen Elizabeth used about every tieup possible without actually inviting the royal couple to visit the theatre — and he even seriously considered such a telegram, Michael Carroll of the American has the only twin doormen in town, Joseph and Leo Stanyko. Rumor has it that Humphrey Doulens will visit Europe before the end of summer. Warner, only air-conditioned house in town, is getting a good play now that hot weather has arrived. Carey Cronan, Herald film editor, has a swell stone studio in the woods that will probably be the scene of some theatre parties before the summer is over. Horace Vitale is responsible for all the summer decorations in the Loew-Poli and to Ted Holt goes the credit for the coollooking rock garden. Longo Recovers Boston — A1 Longo of the local Loew’s publicity office is back after being out a week as a result of being spiked at a baseball game. Five stitches were necessitated. Bob Warren relieved Longo. P. GOODNOW, who has returned to New York from Hollywood where he directed and acted in “Our Town,” writes he is looking forward to another pleasant summer season as director of The Barnstormers in Tamworth. He commented New Hampshire “is still to me, after months of travel about the country, the most beautiful of states.” The New Hampshire legislature, which has acted upon several bills of importance to the theatre business during the current biennial session, expects final adjournment not later than June 22. Mrs. W. Blanche Quint, well known pianist, died in New Hampshire Memorial Hospital, Concord. Her husband, Edgar M. Quint, is a popular violinist and musical director. The Capitol in Concord has been sponsoring a cooking school, with a number of prizes offered the women attending. Ralph E. Mott, grandson of Dr. Guy E. Chesley of Rochester, and a scenario writer in Hollywood, was married in Florida to Eleanor Robinson Luce of Martha’s Vineyard, Mass. Mott is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire. The Strand at Manchester has inaugurated its summer policy of running only Accord Nemo Gaskill " Farewell Party " Boston — Nemo Gaskill, New England cameraman for “News of the Day,” was tendered a “Farewell Party” at the Hotel Lenox. Maurice N. Wolfe, Metro district manager, was toastmaster at the function which recognized Gaskill ’s forthcoming affiliation with Miss Naomi Matthew. George Woodruff of International News was chairman of the committee in charge. Supporters of the affair include Ed Dobkin of M-G-M, Phil Coolidge of Paramount, Dick Sears of Universal, Larry Ellis of Fox, Independent film photographer Ed Ducey, John Davin from National Screen Service, Dave Ambuter of the Ambuter Film Lab. James Caddigan of Paramount, Bert McKenzie of M-G-M, Maurice Master of the Master Motion Picture Co., Jack Mahan of Paramount, Charles Boll of U. S. Army photographic service, film transportation man Fusillo, and Laurence J. O’Toole, film publicity artist. Higgens Extends Booking Aid to New Accounts Boston — Herbert Higgens, independent theatre booker, is taking on a number of small assignments. Higgens now is local representative for Frank Goodwin of Kennebunkport, for Jack Eames’ Colonial in Bethlehem and Hall-in-Pines in Breton Wood, and for Merton F. Clark in Randolph, Vt. Adapting "Green Hell'' Hollywood — Producer Harry Edington has assigned Frances Marion to script “The Green Hell.” Universal releases. weekend programs, which will be double features. Many a piece of coin that folks lay aside for amusements has found its way into the coffers of carnivals and small circuses, these being thicker than the proverbial flies in towns and small cities since the start of summer weather. George Beardsley of Hillsboro bought a $20 car, packed a 48 -hour lunch, took along a couple of blankets and flivvered off for the New York World’s Fair, which his job would allow him to visit only a few hours. “Four hours at the fair,” he reasoned, “is worth going miles to see. The World’s Fair will probably never come to Hillsboro.” Saluted as an “old trouper,” Timothy J. Manning, who in younger days traveled as a musician in vaudeville and circuses many thousands of miles through the United States and Canada, celebrated his 80th birthday recently at his home in Rochester. He was a close friend of the elder Cohans, and remembers when the now famous George M., as a child, bunked in his parents’ dressing room. He is still leader of the Hanson-American Band, which he organized 40 years ago. There is another trooper (spelled with the double “o”) in the family — a son, State Trooper Frank Manning. ,#£)LOSED for the Summer” signs went back up on the RKO-Albee marquee after Atlantic Coast Productions gave up following an unprofitable week’s run of "Our Town,” with Eddie Dowling starred. Erne’ de Sauve’, house artist at the Strand for the past seven years, made the memorable march down the aisle June 9 at Westminster Unitarian Church, taking as his bride Miss Rosemary Ann Fournier, well known Rhode Island artist. Pair took a honeymoon trip to Boston. Associated Theatres has completed air conditioning installation at its Park Theatre and work at the Palace is expected to be finished this week. Majestic is sinking an artesian well as preliminary work incidental to air conditioning of that Fay house. George Cronin, resident manager of Bijou Theatre, expects to get to New York next week to take in the Fair on his week’s vacation. R. I. Supreme Court June 5 issued a writ of certiorari returnable October 18 in the case of Bijou Amusement Co., et al., vs. Felix A. Toupin, et al. Court case is between Woonsocket theatres and city officials over jump in license fees made early in the year. With a half-million tickets sold in advance for Shrine circus, being held this week at Narragansett race track under the joint auspices of Palestme Temple, Shriners, and Pawtucket Boys’ Club, local theatre managers expect plenty of opposition from this affair. Free WPA Short Garners Nearly 300 Bookings Boston — Dave Ambuter, setting what may be a new record for distribution of a gratis short subject in New England, already has closed nearly 300 bookings of “Shock Troops of Disaster.” This doesn’t include Rhode Island and Connecticut. Ambuter, head of the Ambuter Film Laboratories here, shot many of the scenes in the WPA-sponsored picturization of the recent hurricane and flood. Ansin T urns Movie Cash Plan Over to Rudnick Boston — Edward Ansin, who was awarded the New England franchise of the new Movie Cash plan headed by Morton Van Praag, has turned distribution in this territory over to Jason Rudnick. The latter is the brother of Cecil Rudnick, city salesman for National Screen Service. Film District Outing Is Planned lor August Boston — A film district outing is to be held, probably in August, by the combined Cinema Club, Salesmen’s Club, and Theatrical Post of American Legion. Such an affair, under various sponsorship, has been an annual Boston occurrence. 74 BOXOFFICE :: June 17, 1939