Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1939)

Page 4 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW October 14, 1939 ANDY SMITH JOINS RKO Sales Head In East; Levy Resigns Honored by Friends Andy Smith, formerly general sales manager for United Artists has been named eastern sales manager of RKO-Radio. At the same time it was announced by RKO Radio that Jules Levy, general sales manager has resigned and that his duties would be absorbed by Ned Depinet, vice-president in charge of distribution. Smith succeeds E. L. McEvoy, who will be in charge of a district embracing exchanges in Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis and Cincinnati. Robert E. Mochrie, who has been southern district manager for United Artists has been named southern district manager for RKO. He succeeds Hubert Lyons, southeastern manager who will become Atlanta branch manager, and Sol Sachs, southwestern manager, who will be Dallas branch manager. Cresson Smith will remain in charge of the western and southern divisions for RKO. J. B. Brecheen, Atlanta branch manager, is transferred to Charlotte as manager and N. J. Colquhoun, Charlotte manager will take a sales post in the Atlanta exchange. C. W, "Ching" Allen, who has been branch manager in Dallas will be given a new assignment. Levy was negotiating with Nate Blumberg, president of Universal, this week and may join that company in a sales or production post. COHEN WONT ATTEND MEET PONDERDUALS Arthur Silverstone In New U. A. Post Formerly general sales manager for United Artists in Great Britain, Arthur Silverstone this week was named assistant eastern general sales manager of the company under Harry Gold. Silverstone recently returned to the U. S. after spending 16 years abroad. P. K. Johnston, chief booker for the Texas Consolidated and Interstate Theatres in the southwest beamed when hundreds of his fellow employes and film company representatives honored him with a dinner in Dallas recently. It was P.K.'s silver jubilee in show business. He's pictured above with Mrs. Johnston and R. J. O'Donnell, the circuit heads who made the chief talks. BDWY. BIZ STILL ON THE UPBEAT Movie theatre business along Broadway last week and weekend hit new high levels, thus continuing its upward surge which began a few weeks ago. Heads of theatre circuits agree that the pall which settled over the nation's box offices during the first few days of the war is lifting. "Intermezzo" had a smash opening at the Music Hall, while "Eternally Yours" opened equally as strong at the Roxy. With "Dust Be My Destiny" on the screen, and Ann (Oomph) Sheridan and Ted Weems' Band in person, the Strand did a tremendous week-end business, nearly breaking all records set by the house. "Honeymoon in Bali" did well in its second week at the Paramount, and attendance figures were good for the fourth week of "The Real Glory" at the Rivoli. Watching the News Ray Branch, new president of Allied Theatres of Michigan, chuckling as Pat Heavey of Kalamazoo posts the latest news photos on the bulletin board during the recent convention of the group. Central Adopting French Pic Policy The Central Theatre at Broadway and 47th street, now being remodeled, will be devoted exclusively to the presentation of French motion pictures when it reopens on Friday, Oct. 20. First film under the new policy will be "Port of Shadows," a presentation of the newly formed Film Alliance of the United States. 6 Mohawk Valley Towns Get "Drums" Premiere "Drums Along the Mohawk" will _ have six "world premieres" in six towns in New York's Mohawk Valley on November 2. A group of players will be brought from the 2bth-Fox studios to make personal appearances. Theatres and towns where the picture will open are: Palace, Albany; Proctor's, Schenectady; Rial to, Amsterdam; Glove, Gloversville ; Olynpic, Utica; Capitol, Rome. Cole, Myers Invited To Syracuse Although the New York Allied group of which he iS' president will meet in Syracuse next Tuesday, Max Cohen will not attend the meeting because he says he does not wish to become embroiled in a controversy with a "disgruntled employe". This refers to E. Thornton Kelly, executive secretary of the organization until recently discharged by Cohen. Kelly, claiming that he was still in office, called the meeting at the request of three members of the Board of Directors-, although two of them are reported to be supporters of Cohen. A survey of the members of the group indicates that most of them from Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo are standing by Cohen instead of attempting to form a new group which would be loyal to National Allied. Exhibitors in Albany, however, are reportedly more interested in the national group than in Cohen's. Accordingly they have invited Col. H. A. Cole, national president of Allied and Abram F. Myers, general counsel, to attend the meeting on Tuesday. The latter have not indicated whether they will accept. TAX THREAT IN SPECIAL SESSION Madison, Wis. — Sine die adjournment of the Wisconsin legislature has saved Wisconsin exhibitors temporarily from any adverse legislation. The only drawback is a deficit of some $21,000,000 in the budget for the biennium with only $4,034,065 remaining in the general fund. To draft an acceptable tax program, provision has been made by the legislature for the naming of an 18-man interim committee, which will report back at a special session expected to be called in November. Chain theatre, admission and film taxes have been proposed but subsequently killed in the 1939 legislature. It is probable that, in view of this, tax proposals will be made at the special session not exactly to the liking of theatre operators. PHILLY INDIES Action of S.W. Houses Said to be Reason Philadelphia — A mass meeting of all independents in this territory was called for Friday of this week by Allied Independent Theatre Owners of Eastern Pennsylvania for the purpose of dealing with the double feature question. Action followed the report that Stanley-Warner may adopt dual bills. Should S-W make good on the report, the reason given would be that indies have been dualling in the neighborhoods. Meanwhile, Warner Bros., in line with its recently announced sales policy, is said to be adjusting clearance disputes arising in this territory. It is reported that Grad Sears, sales chief, and other Warner representatives, met with an Allied committee, at which meeting about a dozen complaints were reported to have been aired. 1 Allied Regional Meet Set For November 13 Philadelphia — An eastern regional convention will be held here by National Allied on Nov. 13. The meeting is in line with the announced policy of making the regionals progressive, and follows the recent conclave at Atlantic City. Headquarters for the sessions will those of Allied Independent Theatre Owners of Eastern Pennsvlvania, an affiliate. J Cinema Lodge of B'nai B'rith Holds Meeting First regular meeting of the Cinema Lodge of the national B'nai B'rith organization was held last week at the Hotel Edison, with over 100 representatives in attendance. Dr. William F. Rosenblum, chairman of the Metropolitan Anti Defamation League, was speaker. SHOWMEN'S MOTION PICTURE Trade Review Vol. 31, No. 12 Oct. 14, 1939 Title and Trade Mark Reg. U. S. Pat. Off. Charles E. "Chick" Lewis Editor and Publisher TOM KENNEDY Associate Editor JOS H. GALLAGHER, Film Adv. Mgr. HAROLD RENDALL Equip Adv. Mgr. ROBERT WILE Managing Editor WEST COAST OFFICE ANN LEWIS, West Coast Manager Guaranty BIdg., 6331 Hollywrood Blvd. Hollywood, Cal. Tel. HOllywood 1390 CHICAGO REPRESENTATIVE MARSHALL REINIG 612 No. Michigan Ave., Chicago, 111. Telephone: Superior 7646 LONDON REPRESENTATIVE TOCK MacGREGOR, 20 Portsea Place Hyde Park, W., London, Eng. AUSTRALIAN REPRESENTATIVE GORDON V. CURIE, 1 Elliott Street Homebush, Sydney, Australia Showmen's Trade Review is published weekly by Showmen's Trade Review, Inc. publication office, 34 North Crystal St.. East Stroudsburg, Pa. Editorial and advertising offices, 1501 Broadway, New York City. Tel. : Bryant 9-5606. Subscription price in the United States and Canada, $2.00 per year. Foreign $5.00 per year. Single copies, ten cents. Subscribers should remit with order. All contents copyrighted 1939.