Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

Nearly Fifty Thousand Siyn Sunday Show Plea Dover, Del. — Petitions bearing the signatures of 48,200 Delawareans, advocating the enactment of the proposed Sunday film bill now before the Delaware legislature here, were presented to the senate and house of representatives last week by Speaker of the House John R. Fader, The bill, introduced in the house several weeks ago by Rep. John Hamill of Wilmington, was still in committee this week. The measure would allow Sunday movies in Delaware after two o’clock in the afternoon. "ECSTASY" APPEAL DUE FOR HIGH COURT New York — Argument in the appeal of Eureka Productions in connection with its suit to restrain New York state officials from interfering with the exhibition of "Ecstasy,” Czechoslovakian film, is expected to be heard in the May term of the U. S. Supreme Court. Eureka is suing Gov. Herbert H. Lehman, Attorney General John J. Bennett jr., Frank P. Graves and Erwin Esmond of the state board of education, on the ground that censorship of foreign films by the state of New York is unconstitutional. Eureka contends that only Congress controls foreign commerce and the film may be shown anywhere in the United States free from censor regulation because it has been approved by federal authorities in expurgated form. The U. S. circuit court of appeals recently ruled in favor of the defendants. MRS. FOX DEEMED IN CONTEMPT OF COURT Atlantic City, N. J. — Unless Mrs. William Pox, wife of the former film mogul, purges herself of contempt in connection with her refusal to testify as a witness in the bankruptcy proceedings of her husband she will be sentenced “commensurate with the offense,” Federal Judge John Boyd Avis declared this week. Judge Avis deemed Mrs. Fox in contempt of court after a physician reported her “mentally and physically able to appear” at the bankruptcy proceedings on August 26 and 27, although she had pleaded illness. Neissonson Wins Prize Philadelphia — Robert Neissonson, manager of Warner’s Park Theatre, received the first prize for the best comparative business for the RKO picture “The Woman Rebels,” The prize, $100, was presented by Frank McNamee, local manager of the RKO exchange, in connection with a sales drive being conducted here. Buffalo Theatre Is Sued for Bank Night Pot Buffalo — Papers in the first Buffalo civil suit over a theatre Bank Night prize have been filed in the city court with the age of the claimant of the prize the basis for the action. The plaintiff is Miss Betty A. Steller, daughter of Arthur W. Steller. In her behalf. Attorney Ira L. Powsner contends her name was drawn to win the $105 prize, January 22, at Shea’s Kensington Theatre and that she is entitled to the money because her sixteenth birthday occurred shortly before the drawing. Defending the Kenneca Amusement Co., operator of the theatre, which withheld payment of the prize. Attorney Thomas D. Powell maintains the action was justified because Miss Steller was under age and not entitled to the money because posted rules barred children. Audience Approves bpain in rlames Philadelphia — Nearly 500 persons attended a private showing of “Spain in Flames” at the Ethical Culture Auditorium, Tuesday night. The showing followed criticism heaped upon Governor Earle after the picture was banned in Pennsylvania on the grounds of “Communist propaganda.” Governor Earle defended the ban because he said it “was a direct invitation for enlistment” and reminded him of the propaganda that preceded the entry of the United States into the World War. Members of the audience voted 204 to 8 in favor of the showing of the picture. The showing was under the auspices of the North American Committee to Aid Foreign democracy and the National Council on Freedom from Censorship. Governor Earle appointed a committee of 50 to view the picture and recommend whether it should be shown to the public. NEW DISPLAY New' York — A changeable illuminated display, consisting of a patented adapter for the General Electric lumiline bulb and a colored printed transparent strip, has been designed by the Lumin-Ad Corp. for advance or current theatre advertising. BUFFALO INDICTS TWO ACCUSED SWINDLERS Buffalo — Two men accused of swindling theatres on cash drawings are awaiting trial following their indictments by the March grand jury. The men, Charles T. Pierce, 29, and George J. Huston, 37, were indicted March 25 and were arraigned immediately before County Judge George H. Rowe. They pleaded not guilty and were remanded to jail pending trial. The pair are accused of second degree grand larceny in obtaining $160 from the Schine Theatrical Co. on October 12, last, another $200 on December 29; attempted second degree grand larceny from the Schine company of $300 on February 9 and attempted grand larceny from the Broadrose Theatre Corp., November 13. Pierce also is accused of the grand larceny of $200 from the Schine company October 23. Press Dance April 9 New York — Broadway, Hollywood and radioland will join hands April 9 at the Commodore Hotel as a gesture to the lads who keep their faces in front of the public— the Press Photographers Association of New York. The committee expects close to 4,000 guests, and has secured three ballrooms for the occasion. Three orchestras have been engaged for dancing and the show, which promises to be the most auspicious in a long line of highly successful affairs. Jimmy Sileo and Joe Heppner are the film industry’s representatives on the committee for arrangements. Mrs. F. D. Savage Dies Buffalo — Mrs. Florence D. Savage, who with her husband, James S. Savage, established the first motion picture house in south Buffalo died March 24. Mrs. Savage, who was born in Waterloo, N. Y., founded, with her husband, the Park Theatre on South Park Ave. Later they built the Como and Abbott theatres in that section, continuing in the business until 1918, when they retired. T. ROY BARNES DIES Hollywood — T. Roy Barnes, stage and screen comedian, died in his sleep at his home here on Tuesday, apparently of heart disease. The English-born actor, who was 56, first came to the screen in 1920 as star of “Scratch My Back,” and one of his last appearances was in “The Virginia Judge” for Paramount. His widow and two daughters survive. SCHINE BUYS ”U'' LIST New York — The Schine circuit, comprising 80 theatres in New York and Ohio, has signed a contract for Universal’s current program. The contract was signed here by J. R. Grainger, general manager of distribution for Universal, and J. Myer Schine and George Lynch, acting for the Schine Theatrical Co., Inc. IG BOXOFFICE :: April 3, 1937.