The Exhibitor (Jun-Oct 1939)

7 WEEK-END NEWS HIGHLIGHTS IN THE INDUSTRY Conn. “Bingo” Okay Seen Hartford, Connecticut — If the approval of the House was given this week to the "Bingo” bill recently passed by the Senate, Governor Baldwin is ex¬ pected to okay it. Adoption of the measure will relieve prosecuting authorities of towns and cities of a problem long a burden. An amendment provides that before the game can be played in any town, the local government body must approve by a majority vote a petition from at least five percent of the people. The Senate, in passing the measure unani¬ mously, shouted "Bingo.” Priests, lead¬ ers of other organizations favored the bill. One of the clergy said that "the¬ atre interests oppose us as they want everything derived from entertainment for themselves.” May 24 “Allied Fair Day” New York City — New York World’s Fair officials has designated May 24 as "Allied Theatre Owners of New York Day,” in connection with the annual convention of that body. Week-End Previews Philadelphia — To The Exhibitor from its looker-atters in New York, Hollywood, and other points over the weekend came reviews of new pictures, thumbnail sketches of which follow. DOWN THE WYOMING TRAIL (Mono¬ gram — Tex Ritter. 63m. Tex Ritter again comes through with a pleasing, tuneful, action western. THE GORILLA (20th Century-Fox) — The Ritz Brothers, Bela Lugosi, Lionel Atwill, Anita Louise, Patsy Kelly, Edward Norris. 66m. An¬ other screen version of Ralph Spence’s play, this depends entirely on the Ritz draw, whatever that may be. NEW HORIZONS (Amkino) — Boris Chirkov, Vera Kibardina, M. Zharov, N. Uzhvi. 92m. Once again the Soviet cinema attempts to immor¬ talize those who helped build the U. S. S. R. RACKETEERS OF THE RANGE (RKORadio) — George O’Brien, Marjorie Reynolds, Ray Whitley, Robert Fiske. George O’Brien smashes through, and, in bringing this one up to 193 9 in accoutrements, gives out with the best of the series. TELL NO TALES (Metro) — Melvyn Douglas, Louise Platt, Gene Lockhart, Douglas Dumbrille, Halliwell Hobbes. 70m. A pleasant little dualler about a newspaper about to fold. May 17, 19)9 Goldwyn Takes New Step Hollywood — Samuel Goldwyn indi¬ cated early this week that he would file papers in Sacramento, California, in a move to change the name of United Art¬ ists Studios to Samuel Goldwyn Studios. The land on which the plant is located is owned by Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks, stockholders in the United Artists Corporation, but since 193 5 Goldwyn has been sole owner of all buildings and equipment above ground. NY Allied Announces Program New York City— Highlights of the New York Allied Convention schedule May 23-2 5 will be the Eastern Regional Conference and an open meeting May 23; addresses by Colonel H. A. Cole and Abram F. Myers May 24; and an open forum for the industry May 2 5, to be followed by the dinner and dance that evening. The forum, to be held in the afternoon, is open to all. Lehman Signs Owens Bill Albany, New York — Governor Her¬ bert H. Lehman has signed the bill spon¬ sored by Assemblyman James E. Owens which allows 20 percent of qualified elec¬ tors in certain villages to petition for a Sunday movies referendum. Buffalo Raps Desmond Bill Buffalo, New York — Western New York opposition to the Desmond Housing Bill is being led by the MPTO Buffalo zone. The organization has been active in making its opposition known to the Albany legislators. Fisher Pa. Censor Harrisburg, Pennsylvania — John Clyde Fisher, nephew of one-time Gov¬ ernor Fisher, and a resident of Mercer County, was appointed to the Pennsyl¬ vania State Board of Censors by Gover¬ nor Arthur H. James. Fisher is 5 0, has been a trouper, manager, owner in the¬ atre and motion picture business. Baldridge Leaves Warners Winchester, Virginia — Tom Bald¬ ridge has resigned as manager of the Cap¬ itol to become general manager for the new caverns discovered near Front Royal, Virginia. Baldridge was director of the Apple Blossom Festival and state presi¬ dent of the Virginia Junior Chamber of Commerce. Lamar H. Keen, formerly managing the new Silver, Silver Spring, Maryland, succeeds him. Witnesses May Be Publicized New York City — Federal Judge Wil¬ liam Bondy is expected to rule this week whether name of witnesses for the gov¬ ernment in the anti-trust suit will have to be made public by the government. Broadway Continues in Doldrums New York City — Combination of spring weather and the novelty of the New York World’s Fair continued Broad¬ way theatres’ bear market, with no cinema reporting better than fair busi¬ ness. Indicative of the theatrical scene is the report that, of the 23 legit shows current in New York, only one last week cracked its nut. Complete report to The Exhibitor follows: CALLING DR. KILDARE” (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) — At the Capitol, opened May 11, did an o.k. business, said to have been the best since "The Hardys Ride High.” "CONFESSIONS OF A NAZI SPY” (War¬ ners) — At the Strand, opened April 28, with Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians and associ¬ ated artists on the stage, did $3 1,000 on the sec¬ ond week, with $16,320 on Friday, Saturday, Sunday of the third week. CHASING DANGER” (20th Century-Fox) — At the Central, opened May 13, did $2,000 on Saturday and Sunday. "JUAREZ” (Warners) — At the Hollywood, opened a two-a-day engagement April 21, did $21,500 on the second week, with $14,150 on the first five days of the third week. "ONLY ANGELS HAVE WINGS” (Colum¬ bia) — At the Radio City Music Hall, opened May 11, with Viola Philo, Ray & Geraldine, Brengk’s Golden Horse, Marion Raber, the Rockettes, Corps de Ballet, Glee Club on the stage, did a fair $54,000 on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. "PYGMALION” (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) — At the Astor, opened December 8, 193 8, did an estimated $7,000 on the 23rd week and four days on the 24th. Engagement terminated May 14. "ROSE OF WASHINGTON SQUARE” (20th Century-Fox) — At the Roxy, opened May 5, with stage show headed by Buster Shaver and Olive and George Cardini, did a fair $2 5,000 on the second weekend. "UNION PACIFIC” (Paramount) — At the Paramount, opened May 10, with Richard Himber and his Orchestra, Stuart Allen, Calgary Brothers, the Merry Macs on the stage is esti¬ mated to do about $40,000 on the first week. "WUTHERING HEIGHTS” (United Artists) — At the Rivoli, opened April 13, did a fair $22,000 on the fourth week. "ZENOBIA” (United Artists) — At the Globe, opened May 13, did an estimated $2,250 on Sat¬ urday and Sunday. QUAD.