Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1940)

Page 6 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW October 12, 1940 Mort Blumenstock (left), Warners' eastern advertising manager, Rosemary Lane and Owen Davis, Jr., are shown here at a luncheon in Chicago, which was one of the activities during the National Knute Rockne Week celebration, the highlight of which was the four-theatre world premiere of Warners' "Knute Rockne — All American" at South Bend, Ind. Denies Willkie Reel Pressure Schaefer Refutes Republican Charges that Democrats "Suppressed" Film; Says Candidates Get Equal Break It was emphatically denied last Friday by George J. Schaefer, RKO president, that any pressure had been put on his company by Edward J. Flynn, chairman of the Democratic National Committtee, or any other person of* the Committee, in reference to with holding the release of the second "Information Please" short subject in which Wendell Willkie appears, or for fear of any retaliatory measures from the present administration. Schaefer made the denial after Samuel F. Pryor, Jr., director of the Eastern Division of the Republican National Committee, had publicly charged that the Willkie reel was being "suppressed" under Democratic pressure. "Our newsreels give a 50-50 break to each candidate," Schaefer said, "and beyond that we do not intend to go." Brisk Seat Sale at Astor for "Dictator" With seats for the opening night already sold out, seat sale for the Astor Theatre engagement of Charlie Chaplin's "The Great Dictator" got off to a brisk start this week. So great were the crowds gathering to buy tickets that police requested the box office be opened an hour in advance of the regular hour — 10 o'clock. Four extra telephones have been installed to take care of phone reservations. Allied Exhibitors to Increase War Activities Halifax, N. S. — Allied Exhibitors, at its annual meeting here, was committed to war activities, including a campaign of its own. W. H. Cuzner, of Sidney Mines, was re-elected president; Frank Sobey, of Stellarton, vice-president; Dick Courtney, of Halifax, secretary-treasurer. R. J. Macadam, Halifax exhibitor, was named an honorary life member. "Bagdad" Premiere to Be Held at Warm Springs Alexander Korda's Technicolor film, "The Thief of Bagdad," will have its world premiere on Oct. 14 before the children of the Warm Springs Foundation in Warm Springs, Ga., under the auspices of President Roosevelt. Sabu and June Duprez, who have two of the top roles in the picture, will appear personally. Following the premiere, the picture will be released on a roadshow basis. "George" at Globe "Let George Do It," British film being released on this side by Film Alliance of the U. S., will open at the Globe Oct. 12. GWTW Gross $23,500,000 Over 28,000,000 Persons in U. S. Have Seen the Film Reliable sources this week estimated that "Gone With the Wind," completing its final week in New York and Chicago, the last two engagements until next year, has grossed approximately $23,500,000 in theatres throughout the U. S. and has been seen by more than 28,000,000 persons. MGM's share, it is reported, has been between $13,000,000 and $14,000,000, with Producer David O. Selznick sharing approximately half of this amount, including the $2,000,000 advance to him by MGM. It is estimated that the picture's gross at the Astor, where it completes a 44-week run Sunday night, will be about $600,000. The Woods Theatre, Chicago, engagement ends on the same date. DESTINATION: BOSTON Universal Calls Posen Suit "Baseless" A statement issued last week by Universal's board of directors desscribed as "baseless and unfounded" as to its charges the suit brought by a Universal director and stockholder, against Universal and its directors. Main basis of the complaint, the statement said, was the sale of the English distributing subsidiary and the making of certain employment contracts after the recent change in ownership of Universal. The subsequent history of the company and its record of progress justified the policies of the new owners and management, the board asserted. Suit Dismissed Louisville, Ky. — An order was filed here this week dismissing the suit brought by William Rosenthal against George Settos and Frank M. Krapp to dissolve the Settos Theatres partnership. VARIETY CLUB BANQUET OCTOBER 20 R. J. O'Donnel UN* John H. Harris Paul Short The Annual Variety Club banquet is set for Sunday night, October 20, in Pittsburgh. A large number of important industry executives and barkers from tents throughout the country are expected to attend. Prominent among those who will be there are those pictured above. For other details and other Variety Club news see pages 30 and 32 of this issue. Judy Canova, Republics "Scatterbrain" star, steps off United Airlines plane at La Guardia field, en route to Boston and personal appearances at the Neiv England Foods Exposition at the Boston Garden. Decree Discussed By Mich. Allied Myers Talks at Convention All Officers Are Re-elected The consent decree was the principal topic for discussion at the annual convention of Allied Theatres of Michigan held in Jackson this week. It was apparent that the organization would not follow the lead of the National Allied group as explained by Abram F. Myers, board chairman, recently. The latter indicated that he advised acceptance of the decree as the best obtainable. About 250 men and women representing 167 theatres in 65 Michigan cities and towns attended. The convention was addressed by Myers on Wednesday afternoon and all of the officers were re-elected. Mayer Honored at Dinner on Coast Hollywood — Honoring Louis B. Mayer, chairman of the motion picture industry's community chest drive, a dinner was held at Victor Hugo's Wednesday. The program for launching the 1940 chest drive was discussed by eighty executives representing studios, unions, guilds and crafts. Shapiro Trust Suit Hearing Set for Nov. 7 Philadelphia — Indefinitely postponed late in May, hearing in the anti-trust suit brought by Ruben Shapiro, operator of the Admiral Theatre, against Warner Bros, theatres and major companies, has now been scheduled for Nov. 7. Clearance granted to the StanleyWarner houses, Shapiro asserts, constitutes a monopoly. Besides asking cessation of the practice, he seeks damages in excess of $50,000.