Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

BRIDGEPORT pRANCINE LARRIMORE was in town to catch “In Praise of Husbands” at the Park. The Cameo went into a split week policy and then reverted to a full week program. Humphrey Doulens was among the guests at that reception Lily Pons gave at her New York apartment. Mrs. Morris Rosenthal, wife of the Majestic manager, is back from Miami. Hot weather may find air conditioning equipment installed at the Loew Poll. Edgar Lynch, Cameo manager, has an “EL” license plate on his automobile. PORTLAND (Continued from page 16) plus vaudeville at his Colonial Theatre this week but does not plan to make a habit of it. Portland theatre exhibitors got a break from the local news sheets this week when the Press Herald began a new amusement page, devoting the entire space to entertainment. Heretofore the page has been a hodge-podge of stories ranging from banking to vaudeville. This makes three complete pages the theatres have daily. Through the cooperation of William “Bill” Freiday, business manager of the Better Homes Exposition, and operator of the Deering Theatre here, the State management was to have arranged a display of stills showing the interiors of various stars’ homes, on the main floor at the Exposition Bldg. John Lomac, assistant manager of the Columbia Theatre at Bath, was one of the star players in a basketball tournament held at the Portland Athletic Club this week. The Star Theatre bowling team of Westbrook defeated the Maine Theatre team of Portland by 39 pins recently. Among visitors to Filmrow: J. T. Lotus of Stayidard Theatre Supply Co. and Julius Conviser, who also visited in Biddeford, Waterville, Bath and Rockland, Me., and Dover, N. H.; Sam Seletsky, Rep.; Isadore Saxton, GN, and Timothy O'Toole. Columbia. Colby Robinson of the Rialto. Westbrook, opened a small theatre in Yarmouth last week but closed the house after one night. The Strand Theatre here has temporarily changed its opening day from Thursday to Wednesday. A Paramount short subject received a bit of good publicity in the Portland Evening Express this week when a picture of Count Von Zuppe, who appeared in the wrestling sequence, was snapped at the Paramount branch offices inspecting the film. J. Harold Stevens, head of the exchange, John Divney and “Chick” Hayes of the Maine Theatre, where the short is being shown, were also in the pix. The stunt was arranged by Harry Botwick of the State. Demolishing Globe New Haven — The Globe Theatre closed on Easter Sunday, in order that demolishing and rebuilding activities might begin at once in preparation for occupancy by Crawford Clothing Co. This downtown last run has been in operation for the past 20 years, with Edwin A. Raffile as manager. Raffile will continue in the employ of the Slepack interests, who owned the theatre, as manager of real estate holdings. Permit Hits Snag Bridgeport — Although the board of appeals granted a permit to erect a theatre at 1388 North Park Ave. to Arthur Blank, Mayor McLevy subsequently questioned the legality of the composition of the board, and a rehearing has been ordered. It is expected the board may meet on April 5. though no definite date had been set at this writing. Named by Motiograph New Haven — Modern Theatre Equipment has taken over representation of the Motiograph projector for Connecticut territory. Lou Phillips is planning a formal announcement and opening, with a series of demonstrations for exhibitors in the near future. TO DISTRIBUTE TOM TYLER SERIES Boston — Atlantic Pictures of Boston, with headquarters here, and Connecticut Film Distributing Co. of New Haven will handle the distribution of the eight Tom Tyler westerns for the New England territory through a deal closed with Astor Pictures Corp. of New York. RETURN RUN FOR "ECSTASY” Boston — “Ecstasy,” which had a 21week run at the Park Theatre here, was booked for an indefinite return date run, starting Easter Sunday. LYRIC TEMPORARILY CLOSED Bridgeport — Loew’s has closed the Lyric until next fall, following the failure of burlesque, operated by the lessee, to hold up. Austria Cuts Film Fee Hike 10 Per Cent Washington — The recent 25 per cent hike in Austrian contingent fees for foreign-made films has been reduced by 10 per cent. Under the previous fee assessment French film companies would have withdrawn their product from Austria as no longer marketable at a profit. The effect on Austrian film exports would have been adverse, since France provides a small but profitable market for the Austrian product. Frank Lloyd, Paramount producer-director who has known the thrill that comes with the winning of three Academy awards, adds another honor to his list — the plague presented him by Boxoffice as producer of “Maid of Salem,” chosen by members of the National Screen Council as the best film released during February. NEW HAVEN (Continued from page 18) ness. She worked previously for Harry Arthur and Tiffany. Nat Furst moved his family to Boston on Monday, following his promotion to the managership of the Boston Warner exchange. The Mayfair, Terryville, lost its lights for a whole hour one night last week. Arthur Lockwood has some good fish stories as a result of a deep sea expedition in the Gulf of Mexico, under the guidance of old-timer Sam Rosen. Jack Byrne was rush-called to a managers’ meeting in New York at the office of W. A. Scully last Thursday. Milton Hyams is fondly talking of a vacation in St. Louis, where his only daughter now resides. S. R. Kunkis, legal writer, was in New Haven with Vice-President McGill of CBS, and visited Ben Cohen of the College. “Captains Courageous,” originally booked for the Poll on April 9, has been pulled for roadshow. Julius Myers, owner of the Franklin, Springfield, and Majestic, West Springfield, was a visitor along Meadow St. Bill Brown, booker for the Stamford Peskay theatres, has been on leave on account of illness. JIM WEIST DIES IN N. Y. Hartford — Jim Weist, who left the managership of Warner’s Regal Theatre a few months ago, died suddenly in New York City last week. 20 BOXOFFICE :: April 3, 1937.