Showmen's Trade Review (Apr-Jun 1939)

6 T H A N N 1 V E R S A 1< ^• ISSUE Page 9 Film Nets $70,000 Concluding June 1 the longest run of any picture to play the Rivoli Theatre, • ' W u t h e r i n g Heights" netted its producer, Samuel Goldwyn, well over $70,000 in film rental for the film's 7 weeks engagement, it is understood. Laurence Olivier, whose performance in the picture has put him in the front rank of screen players, was host at a cocktail party given for members of the trade press and other industry notables at the theatre last week. Ben Washer Returning To Samuel Goldwyn Ben Washer is returning to Samuel Goldwyn as the latter's New York publicity and advertising representative, it was announced this week'. Washer has been in charge of publicity for George Abbott Productions and Frank J. McCarthy succeeds him. Abrams Made Univ. Short Subject Sales Mgr. Promotion of Leo Abrams, for many years manager of Universal's Big U Exchange, to the newly created post of short subject sales manager for the company, was announced this week by W. A. Scully, general sales manager. David Levy will take over Abrams' post. Report Eastern Circuit Next D of J Target A monopoly suit against a large Eastern circuit operating in several states and the major distributors is being prepared by the Department of Justice, it is reliably reported. Said to be similar to the one filed against the Griffith circuit, the action is expected to be filed within 60 days. The suit is to be based on exhibitor complaints, according to the report. Fails to Approve Pact Kansas City — The annual convention of the Kansas-Missouri Theatre Owners Ass'n. closed here last week without approving the Trade Practice Code. Memorable Premiere by 20th MakesU.S. Lincoln Conscious Marian Anderson, Lowell Thomas, Others Featured in Broadcast of Event By TOM KEI^ISEDY Spring-field, 111. — Twentieth Century-Fox this Memorial Day made America Lincoln-conscious with a memorable world premiere of "Young Mr. Lincoln" at^ the Fox Lincoln Theatre here. A national broadcast preceding the showing of the picture carried the story of the presentation to the far corners of the land. Crowds of Springfield townsfolk gathered at the theatre to see the stars and visitors brought here by 20th-Fox. More than 100 reporters, feature writers and photographers were present. A special train from the East took the bulk of these spreaders of the news to the city made historic by Lincoln. Charles E. McCarthy, director of advertising for 20th-Fox, headed the home office staff which had complete direction of the premiere events and excursions. Marian .Anderson, noted contralto sanp, "America" before the opening. The Illinois Legislature and the City of Springfield cooperated with Mr. McCarthy and his assistants in making the premiere an event of statewide importance. John W. Kapp, mayor of Springfield, turned the city over to the oicture industry, as it were, for the "Young Mr. Lincoln" unveiling on the evening of Memorial Day. The press representatives and the stars, Alice Brady, Arleen Whelan, Binnie Barnes. Cesar Romero, who entrained from Hollywood on a special that railroaded them to Springfield, were STuests at a civic luncheon of the Mid-Day Luncheon Club of Springfield. Greetings to 20th-Fox by Mayor Kapp were responded by on behalf of the visitors by Lowell Thomas. The premiere at the Fox Lincoln was a gala event at which Illinois was represented by Lt. Governor John Stelle and a committee of state senators and representatives. Gallagher Joins STR STR announces with pleasure the appointment of Joseph H. Gallagher as motion picture advertising manager, effective June 5. Well known in the industry, Gallagher has been general manager of Box Office for the past 8 years and prior to that Director of Public Relations for Columbia. Before joining Columbia, he was engaged in theatrical advertising for 9 years, and was also engaged in the publication and advertising agency business. Jack narrower of Film Daily, Mrs. Harrower and Tom Kennedy of STR as they left on Monday for the World premiere of Twentieth Century-Fox's "Young Mr. Lincoln" in Springfield, 111. Gov't Interference Assailed Warning Against Growing Trend Sounded By Kuykendall at STOA Convention Jacksonville, Fla. — Ed Ivuykendall, president of the MPTOA, sounded a warning against the growing trend in Washington to meddle and interfere with business, in a speech delivered here before the annual convention oi'^ the Southeastern Theatre Owners Association. Over 300 registrations were reported. Kuykendall declared tliere is an appalling lack of understandingregarding the problems of business with the result that present laws and proposed legislation have both big and little business scared to death. Most of the AIPTOA prexy's time was devoted to pointing out evils of the Neely bill, which he described as the first big step leading to governmental reg ulation and control. On the second day of the meet he analyzed and discussed the trade practice code. Presiding at the meet was M. C. Moore, president. Mayor George C. Blume welcomed the theatre owners. The success his company had experienced in making its own trailers was discussed by Richard Kennedy of the Wilbey-Kincy Corp. A humorous talk on buying and selling pictures was delivered b} Roy Martin, of Columbus, Ga.