Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

Firm Stand Is Urged on Foreign Restrictions the Methodist Hospital after a serious operation. The Garrick Theatre is now having Saturday matinee showings. The plan was adopted after many requests were made by parents of children in the neighborhood. Mannie Marcus and his family have returned to Ft. Wayne after speridmg a month in Florida. New York — Warning that American motion picture companies must stand on guard against growing restrictions and encroachments in foreign countries aimed at our producing -distributing structure was sounded here this week by Phil Reisman, general manager in charge of foreign distribution for RKO. upon his return from a four-month world tour. All countries, he found, want American companies to make pictures domestically, either to establish production plants or help bolster weak industries. Pointing out the virtual impossibility of such a move, partially on the basis of past experience, and taking into consideration the growing nationalistic feeling throughout the world and the desire to grab some of the film dollars going to America, Reisman stressed that the industry in the United States must take a firm stand. Australia May Ease Quota This, he said, should consist of an unyielding attitude toward those governments who seek to impose more drastic restrictions and quota laws. “We should tell them that we can either do business in their country or we will withdraw," he declared. "We will quit because we are being forced out by uneconomic regulations.’’ Reisman caused a stir recently in Sidney, Australia, when he informed Premier Stevens of New South Wales that was RKO’s intention unless the quota provision was modified. As a result of those conferences, there is a prospect of relaxation in the quota, he said, and two "unofficial” representatives of the N. S. W. government are planning to come to New York for further discussions. Louis B. Goulden Sells Interests Indianapolis — Louis B. Goulden, who for the past ten years has been president of the Fountain Square Theatre Co., which operates the Fountain Square, Granada and the Sanders theatres here, has disposed of his interests and has tendered his resignation as president and director of the company. Goulden is president of the General Theatres Corp., which operates the Tower Theatre on South Illinois St. here, and also is president of the Stanley Theatres, Inc., operator of theatres in various small towns in the state. Now Is Monogram Milwaukee — Midwest Film Co., Inc., of which Charles W. Trampe is president, has changed its name to Monogram-Midwest Film Co., Inc. 25% Rejection Right "Down Under" New York — While exhibitors in the United States are hot and bothered over a ten-point trade practice program and other concessions, their brothers in the Antipodes have it pretty soft. Returning from a globe -encircling business trip, Phil Reisman, in charge of RKO export, reported that hi the province of Victoria, Australia, exhibitors have a 25 per cent rejection privilege. This was substituted for a quota provision at the exhibitors’ request. And in Neiv Zealand, he said, the exhibitors are setting up a committee under government aegis to regulate the price of film rental. It is getting somewhat difficult for distributors to operate in those countries, he added. lirUPIIIAWAPOILllS J^ERMAN BOOTH, GB Cincinnati branch manager, spent the weekend in Indianapolis on business. Billy Connors, Marion. Ind., exhibitor, is taking an active part in the reconstruction and re-equipment of the Marion airport. The name of the Colonial Theatre, Indianapolis, has been changed to the Empress Theatre. Mrs. Fred Wagoner, wife of the GB branch head in Indianapolis, is confined to EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTORS Chicago & Indianapolis Film Territories FOR MOTIOGRAPH MODEL HU DE LUXE PROJECTOR • Everything For the Theatre GUERCIO & BARTHEL CO. !l(IS niilm.sli Ate. C IIICAfJO GER-BAR, Inc. us N. Illinois St. INDIAlVAI'OlilS TH^ffEREQUIPWENT Lee Goldberg, president, Big Feature Rights Corp., spent Saturday in the city planning the expansion of the local branch. The company has acquired the H. H. Van Loan pictures for Indiana distribution, and four reissues of United Artists pictures. Harry Vonderschmitt, Bloomington operator, has installed new equipment in his Strand Theatre, Crawfordsville. Visitors: U. V. Young, Gary; S. W. Neall, Kokomo: Frank Forrest, Boonville; Harry Vonderschmitt, Bloomington; Jack Rose, Chicago, and Fred Dolle, Louisville, Ky, Don K. Smith, National Theatre Supply Co. manager, spent the forepart of the week in Chicago attending a managers’ meeting. Ernest Miller has contracted for projectors, screen, lenses, transverter and carpet for his new Cinema Theatre. The house will open about the middle of May. The Indiana Theatre will be reopened by Tom Devine. There will be stage and screen shows. The house will open May 1 and close during the summer months. Filmack Diamond Bid Chicago — Irving Mack’s baseball team, “The Filmacks,” gaily decorated in brand new green and gold uniforms, enters the Filmrow League this year with the avowed intention of winning the pennant. Last year the pennant went to B. & K. Outfit. PHOTOPHONE’S Magic Voice Sound Systems 1. ORIGINAL ROTARY SOUND HEADS 2. CELLULAR HI & LOW FREQUENCY HORNS 3. PUSH PULL ATTACHMENTS FOR THE NEWEST PUSH PULL RECORDINGS Prices You Can Afford to Pay Sold Outright — Not Leased • Now Being Built and Shipped From Our New Modern Plant in Indianapolis, Ind. For Information Call or Write Your Nearest Office RCA MEG. CO., Inc. A. E. KLEIN 589 E Illinois St. CHICAGO Delaware 4300 J. F. O'BRIEN Mich. & LaSalle INDIANAPOLIS Cherry 4800 118 BOXOFFICE :: May 1, 1937.