Boxoffice (Jan-Mar 1940)

Librarian Lauds Films on Popularizing Books Des Moines — “A good movie will bring an immediate demand for the book from which the movie was made,” said Des Moines Librarian Forrest Spaulding, talking on “Society, Men and Books” before the First Unitarian Church young adult group last Sunday night. “The movie practically made ‘Wuthering Heights’ a best-seller.” Spaulding’s reference to film productions followed an attack on censorship. He lamented pressure efforts to censor “The Grapes of Wrath” both in book and film form. “ ‘Gone With the Wind,’ ” he added, “has done more to interest people in history than has any other publication.” Censorship, Spaulding contends, was decreasing, but with the opening of the European war, has become more prevalent. He contends that the danger to the people of the United States is “not in knowing all about Hitler, but in not knowing all about him.” “I’m not afraid of propaganda,” he asserted. “It usually is so obviously just that. I’m not afraid of the Earl Browders or the Fritz Kuhns — give them rope and they’ll hang themselves.” The speaker told of a Des Moines minister who protested that Hitler’s “Mein Kampf” should not be in the public library. “Perhaps if more people had read 'Mein Kampf’ some of Hitler’s despotism might have been prevented,” Spaulding declared. “Knowledge never did anyone any harm.” R. L, McIntyre Heads Omaha Projectionists Omaha — R. L. McIntyre, Fox screening room operator, has been elected president of Local 343, IATSE, for 1940, succeeding Adolph Fells. Other officers are Alvin “Boots” Kostlan, Brandeis Theatre, first vice-president; Shep Owens, Benson, second vice-president; G. E. Jordan, Muller, financial secretary; Clyde Cooley, Winn, recording secretary; Baird Loomis, Brandeis, treasurer, and Howard Jackson, Omaha, business agent. McIntyre said trustees would be appointed soon. Buys Todd for Plaza Howard, Kas. — A. J. Simmons has purchased Todd air conditioning equipment for the Plaza here. And So She Picked Another Line Lincoln — Ruth Hardy, cashier at the Lincoln for several years, grew tired of saying “how many" to everybody who walked up to her wicket. So she picked out one guy and changed the line to “what do you want for dinner tonight?" She became Mrs. George Milne last week. That's Telling Him Des Moines — RKO rated a lot of free publicity on a crowded Des Moines street car one cold morning this week. When Parker Mize, Tribune editor, boarded the car a voice from the back end questioned loudly: “Did you get that guy straightened out yet, Parker?” Being a modest gent, the embarrassed Parker ignored the query. But the question was repeated insistently. Unable to hold his curiosity any longer, Parker unwarily asked what guy. “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” replied Baiter Fred Lazell, Tribune political reporter, to the delight of the rest of the passengers on the car. Dubinsky Maple Splitters Lead Cinema League Kansas City — Dubinsky Bros, maple splitters are out in front in the Cinema Club Bowling League by a comfortable three -game margin over the Cinema Club and Don Davis, who are tied for second and third. LEAGUE STANDINGS Won Lost Pet. Dubinsky Hros 25 17 595 Cinema Club 22 20 524 Don Davis 22 20 524 Film Delivery 20 22 476 National Screen 18 21 462 Finton Jones 16 23 410 NEXT WEEK S SCHEDULE Dubinsky Hros. vs. Finton Jones. . . .Alleys 19-20 National Screen vs. Cinema Club .. Alleys 21-22 Film Delivery vs. Don Davis Alleys 23-24 EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES Peterson “Freezem" Mfg. & Sales Co. Blowers, washers, spray nozzels, office and home units. Special Offer — Priced to Sell. Why Pay More? G. A. Peterson Victor 4075 316 Southwest Blvd. Kansas City, Mo. A. A. Electric Machinery Co. Ernest Amoneno, Mgr. 1117 Cherry St. Phone: Victor 8796 Holmes Projector Theatre Supply Projectors and Sound for the Largest and Smallest Theatre — Also Portable 16 mm and 35 mm equipment. 1820 Wyandotte St. Kansas City, Mo. HA. 7472 Oklahoma Theatre Supply Co. Distributors for RCA, Brenkert, U. S. Air, Heywood-Wakefield 126 West 18th St. 708 West Grand Ave. GR. 2864 Oklahoma City, Kansas City, Mo. Okla. Stebbins Theatre Equipment Co. 1804 Wyandotte St. C. H. Badger, Mgr. Phone: GRand 0134 Southwest Theatre Equipment Co., Indp't Wichita, Kas. C. D. Peck, Mgr. Phone 2-2153 Omaha Variety's Annual Ball Slated Jan. 21 Omaha — Members of the Omaha Variety Club will hold their annual inaugural ball on January 21 at Hotel Fontenelle. The dinner-dance will be open to members, exhibitors and their friends, tickets priced at $2 per person. Inauguration ceremonies will be held in the club headquarters and will be open only to members. Morris Cohn, Strand, Council Bluffs, la., will be installed as chief barker, succeeding Harry J. Shumow, Metro branch manager. Other officers to be installed include Evert R. Cummings, Tri-States district manager, first assistant chief barker; Sam Epstein, head of the Epstein circuit, second assistant; Meyer Stern, Capitol Pictures, treasurer; Edward Shafton, attorney, secretary. The six other members of the board, including the officers, are Walter M. Green, Fepco; D. V. McLucas, United Artists; Ted Mendenhall, Paramount; Eugene Blazer, Ascap attorney; John J. Gillin, radio station WOW, and Shumow. Film Transport Expands Des Moines — Film Transportation has outgrown its present quarters, and will move to a new location February 1, according to R. E. Hacker, office manager. The move is to be made to the building at 1101 Grand from the company’s present location at 415-12th St. EXHIBITOR ASSOCIATIONS Independent Theatre Owners Association 1214 Brush Creek Road — VAlentine 2770 E. E. Webber jr.. Pres. John Wolfberg, Sec. K. M. T. A. 221 W. 18th St. — Harrison 4825 Frank Cassil, Pres. Fred Meyn, Sec.-Treas. AIR CONDITIONING National Air Conditioning and Engineering Corp. VI. 3535 213 West 19th St. — Kansas City, Mo. Manufacturing — Engineering — Installation SOUND SERVICE K. C. SOUND SERVICE Syncrofilm Sound Equipment and Service 1818 Wyandotte St. W. P. Humston HA 4783 SCREEN PUBLICITY Alexander Film Company Motion Picture Advertising E. L. Harris, Dist. Mgr., Mo., Kan., Neb., Iowo 239 East 72nd Terrace Phone: Hlland 2G94 TRADE DIRECTORY A HANDY GUIDE FOR THE EXHIBITOR KANSAS CITY TERRITORY BOXOFFICE : : January 13, 1940 51