Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1940)

October 12, 1940 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW Page 5 Important Dates Oct. 13-14: MPTO of Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee annual convention, Hotel Gayoso, Memphis, Term. Oct. 14: Dallas Variety Club golf tournament, Dallas Country Club. Oct. 20: Annual Variety Club banquet, W illiam Penn Hotel, Pittsburgh. Oct. 21-22: AMPTO of Western Pennsylvania convention, Hotel Roosevelt, Pittsburgh. Oct. 21-25: SMPE Fall convention, Roosevelt Hotel, Hollywood. Oct. 24: Picture Pioneers Fall Conference Dinner. Oct. 26: Cinema Lodge, B nai B nth, banquet, Hotel Pennsylvania. Oct. 30-31: ITO of Ohio convention, Desher-Wallick Hotel, Columbus. Nov. 11: Canadian Picture P.oneers convention, Toronto. Nov. 11-12: ATO of Indiana annual convention and trade show, Hotel Antlers, Indianapolis. Nov. 16 : Washington Variety Club dinner, Willard Hotel. Nov. 21: Motion Picture Associates Ball, Hotel Astor. Dec. 12: Philadelphia Variety Club dinner, Bellevue Stratford. Griffith Buys 18 O.K. Theatres $500,000 Paid for Group for Circuit in 14 Texas Towns Exhibitor Opinions Differ On Price Increase Question Some Maintain Certain Pictures are Strong Enough To Stand It; Others Against Any Boost in Scales Opinion differs widely throughout the country among both exhibitor and distributor circles on the merits of any general price rise at this time. The question has recently come to the fore through statements by Spyros^ Skouras and Joseph Bernhard. The COUNTER ATTRACTION Among the stories told to those who journeyed to South Bend, Ind., for the four-theatre world premiere of Warner's "Knute Rockne — All American," perhaps the best one concerns the choice of an opposi'.ion house as a ;ounter attraction. It was, so the story goes, "Ths Hunchback of Notre Dame." Griffith Theatres have purchased the O.K. chain of 18 theatres for $500,000 according to an announcement made this week by R. I. Payne of the purchasing group. Payne and Oscar Korn of the O.K. Theatre handled the transaction. The new units of the Griffith Circuit are in 14 towns in Texas. It was said that only minor changes will be made in the personnel of the theatres. The Griffith Circuit now numbers 246 houses, all in the Southwest. Celebs AttendJKWTW San Francisco Premiere AM San Francisco — With scores of stars and other celebrities in attendance, world premiere of RKO's "They Knew What They Wanted," co-starring Carole Lombard and Charles Laughton, was held here Tuesday night at the Golden Gate Theatre. A giant grape tub, 90 feet in diameter and draped with three tons of grapes from the Napa Valley, locale of the film, was erected in the street. Twenty-five motion picture editors from western cities were guests at a private preview Monday. Garson Kanin and Erich Pommer, director and producer respectively of "They Knew What They Wanted," were guests of honor at a cocktail party Thursday evening. former advocated increases for pic tures of merit while the latter favored general price rises but a steady maintenance of the scale. Further fuel was heaped on the fire last week by William F. Rodgers, MGM sales manager, who took the same stand as Skouras. Numerous exhibitor leaders have expressed opinions on the subject. Several of the sales managers are known to agree with Rodgers although as far as is known, none has made any public statement. However, Paramount, MGM, Warner Bros., RKO and United Artists have all sold pictures recently with a price-boost clause for specific instances. Incidentally, the stand of the Warner distribution department is diametrically opposed to that of Bernhard, who is charge of the company's theatres. Ben Berger, head of the Berger Amusement Co. of Minneapolis, for example believes prices should be raised for outstanding pictures. Fred Strom, executive secretary of Northwest Allied agrees with him except that he believes very few pictures are sufficiently outstanding. Leo F. Wolcott, president of Allied of Iowa and Nebraska, opposed "juggling of prices." Maurice White, associate of Ike Libson, in Cincinnati favored a general increase, but Milwaukee exhibitors opposed this. So does M. A. Lightman, head of the Malco Circuit and Norman L. Carter, head of the Paramount Richards Circuit of New Orleans. Indianapolis exhibitors also opposed an increase. Col. H. A. Cole, president of Allied States Association said, "If we have been making money at the present prices, it is profiteering to increase them. If we have not been making money, it is suicidal to increase them." Ainsworth Heads Wisconsin ITPA Is Re-elected President of Group; 125 Exhibs at Meet About 125 exhibitors attended the convention of the ITPA of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, held at the Hotel Schroder in Milwaukee last week. W. L. Ainsworth was reelected president of the organization. A. C. Gutenberg of Milwaukee was chosen vice-president ; August Berkholtz of West Bend was elected treasurer and Harry Perlewitz was again named business manager of the organization. In addition to the officers, the following were elected members of the Board of Directors: F. J. McWilliams, Madison ; Mrs. Frank Eck hardt of Wisconsin Rapids ; Ben Marcus, Ripon ; Bert Nathan of Milwaukee; Mark Morgan, Cedarburg; John Adler, Marshfield; William Smith, Menominee and George Langheinrich of Milwaukee. Among the questions discussed during the two day sessions were the AID which Sidney Samuelson, chairman, talked on and 16 mm. movies, free shows and the pass evil. Milwaukee Exhibs See Better Friday Night Biz Milwaukee — As the result of a move by some 50 shops to remain open until 9 p.m., downtown theatre managers are looking forward to better business on Friday night, which ordinarily is rather dull. Great States Managers Meet to Spur Attendance Chicago — With John Balaban presiding, Great States managers met this week at the Drake Hotel to outline plans for the Fall season and to get a drive under way for greater attendance at the circuit's theatres. i MGM Adds Helborn, Rich as Exploiteers Two additions to MGM's staff of field representatives were announced this week. Louis Helborn has been appointed exploitation representative in the Omaha and Des Moines territories, while Gene Rich has been assigned as assistant to W. G. Lambert in the Chicago territory. Chi. Censors Reject Three Pix in Two Months Chicago — Only three films out of 256 viewed were rejected by the local censor board during August and September. Five were "pinked" for adults only, and a total of 91 cuts were made, according to Lieut. Harry Costello, the censor. Essaness Cuts Prices In Outlying Theatres Chicago — Enabling patrons to avoid the Federal defense tax, admission prices have been reduced in some of the outlying houses of the Essaness circuit here.