The Exhibitor (May-Oct 1945)

THE EXHIBITOR IN THIS ISSUE Section One Advance Shots 18 Arbitration 18 Editorial . 3 Hints on Newspaper Advertising 20 Legion of Decency 18 News Picture Page Production Kelease Dates Television Trade Screenings BETTER MANAGEMENT BM-1--BM-20 Section Two THE CHECK UP (THE EXHIBITOR’S YELLOW SECTION) SS-1-SS8 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 14, 15 17 16 Inside Back Cover . 16 B'WAY GROSSES OKEH IN PRE-V-E-DAY WEEKEND New York — Business was generally good in the Broadway first runs last week end with the Radio City Music Hall, Roxy, Capitol, and Paramount out in front. Due to enforced closing part of two days, the Strand grosses suffered considerably. According to usually reliable sources reaching The Exhibitor the break-down was as follows: “THE VALLEY OF DECISION” (Metro). Radio City Music Hall, with stage show, did $75,000 from Thursday through Sun¬ day, with the week heading for a good $120,000. “DIAMOND HORSESHOE” (20th Cen¬ tury-Fox). Roxy, with stage show, re¬ ported $74,000 from Thursday through Sunday, with the week estimated to hit $94,000. “SALTY O’ROURKE” (Paramount) . Par¬ amount, with stage show, claimed $60,000 from Thursday through Sunday, with the week expected to go to $80,000. “THE CLOCK” (Metro) . Capitol, with stage show, garnered $60,000 from Thurs¬ day through Sunday, with the week sure to hit $85,000. “THE AFFAIRS OF SUSAN” (Para¬ mount). Rivoli had a $26,000 week. •TARZAN AND THE AMAZONS” (RKO). Globe said they did $7,600 on Sat¬ urday and Sunday, with the week esti¬ mated at $14,000. "COLONEL BLIMP” (UA). Gotham had $4,250 on Friday, Saturday, and Sun¬ day, with the week expected to do $8,000. Yates Returns To New York New York— Herbert J. Yates, Sr., presi¬ dent, Republic Productions, Inc., returned last week following a two-months’ visit at the company’s North Hollywood studio. During his stay at the coast, Yates sparked studio plans for the celebration of Republic’s 10th anniversary, and form¬ ulated plans for forthcoming studio pro¬ ductions. Yates was accompanied by William Saal, his executive assistant. Milton Starr Upped Washington — It was announced last week that Milton Starr, Nashville, Tenn., southern circuit owner, had been appointed assistant vice-chairman, WPB’s Office of Civilian Requirements. Starr has been spe¬ cial assistant to OCR director William Elliottt since 1943. MEL KONECOFF'S NEW YORK A SMALL GROUP gathered last week in the lobby of Loew’s State to see the circuit get started on its Seventh War Loan, marked by the unveiling of a large reproduction, in bas relief, of the I wo Jima flag raising. The display is a replica in color of the famous Joe Rosenthal photograph, stands 10 feet high, and is 10 feet wide. It features the Marines raising Old Glory on a bombed Japanese city, and, as the bond sales rise, the flag staff moves upward. The display will remain in the theatre lobby during the drive. The ceremonies were opened with the playing of “To The Colors” on a muted bugle, followed by an invocation and prayer by Father Frederick Gallagher, chaplain, St. Albans Hospital. An eight-year old youngster, daughter of one of the Navy men who fell at Iwo Jima, unveiled the plaster display. Francis Harmon, WAC vice-chairman-coordinator, addressed the assemblage, and noted that what was taking place here was a symbol of the united theatres and their determined efforts through out the country. According to Harmon, all the industry’s personnel might be represented through the manager and staff of Loew’s State as they tighten their belts for the forthcoming drive. Several speakers from the local War Finance Committee also addressed the throng. E. C. Dowden, Loew’s, acted as master of ceremonies, and reported that during the period from June 1, 1942, through March 31, 1945, the circuit’s intown theatres sold $70,051,366 worth of bonds, while the out-of-town houses came through with $48,833,958. Bond sales to employees outside of the theatres amounted to $22,026,305, and the amount bought by Loew’s, Inc., and its subsidiaries, was $57,821,500. The grand total is $198,733,129 in war bonds, for which we doff our imaginary lid. Among those present were a group of veterans of all the services, Commandant William Barry, Marine Corps League; Charles C. Moskowitz, Oscar Doob, Frederick Gehle, John Fitzgerald, and others. DEPINET RETURNS DEPT.: Almost a score of trade press representatives turned out for the first press conference that Ned E. Depinet, president, RKO Radio, has had since his return to town after an illness and recuperation period of several months, and his first remark was, “Well, what’s new?” Now this is number 14A in the classification, "How To Start A Press Interview,” and tends to catch the press off guard, with the result that many off-the-record stories come out when they shouldn’t, but, despite that, we were on our toes, and managed to glean a few facts and opinions from the well -tanned executive. Depinet predicted a great future in store for the southwestern portion of the United States as far as the motion picture biz is concerned, and pointed out that even at present the returns on pix in the west and southwest are proportionately larger than they are in the east, and this, he suspected, might be due to an increase in the population, more money in circulation due to expansion and increase of war industries, etc. He predicted more theatre construction there in the post-war period, and sees motion pictures playing a; large and important role in the post-war era not only domestically, but the world over. Depinet admitted that his company was still making ‘B’ product, and that it would continue to do so as long as he believes that that type of product is needed. According to him, they are as fine as any in the industry. The exec looked at some of the company’s forthcoming product while he was recuperating in Phoenix, Ariz., with Charlie Koerner, production chief, and forecast some big doings for the releases, especially that “The Enchanted Cottage” would do even better at the boxoffice than was expected. He par¬ ticularly paid tribute to general sales manager Robert Mochrie and foreign sales super¬ visor Phil Reisman for the way they and their lieutenants carried on in his absence. He also announced that the company will most likely have to forego its annual famous sales convention due to transportation difficulties, and that he will have to find another wav to see “the boys.” Now leave us pass on to you Depinet’s formula for getting back on your feet and look¬ ing wonderful. It seems that he rode the horses, ate regularly, watched some doves cooing as he lay in the sun, took it easy, picked his own grapefruits from nearby orchards looked at other company product, etc. He lost 15 pounds and is in tip-top shape. We’re still trying to convince our editorial board to send us out to Arizona, and investigate thet area’s potentialities. (The travelling would be such a strain, and what would New York be without Konecoff? — Ed.) POETRY DEPT: We received this poem from a reader of this department last and a though we ordinarily don’t have the space for such contributions this struck lorcibly that we are carrying it, for the attention of everyone: week, us so “FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT— THE SOLDIER” A great soldier gave his life today, Gave it for the “American Way,” He wore no uniform, stripes, or stars, No Purple Heart, for his battle scars, ’ No one saw them, so how could they know, What this man deserved, was a furlough, He’d never take it, but God knew best, He saw that this soldier got his rest, He relieved him of his great Command, Now he and God will work Hand in Hand! Rhoda Rogers Schulman ( Continued on page 14)