Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

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H. M. Richeij Cautions on Product Fight Cost Detroit — With the buying season a few months off, H, M. Richey has sent a bulletin notice to members of Allied Theatres of Michigan asking them to use common sense this year and be fair with their competitors in their product purchasing. T never yet have seen a product fight that made a thin dime for either party,” writes Richey. “Either the cost is increased more than the additional product was worth or the other fellow, faced with a product shortage, had to resort to plans of marketing not generally felt desirable, to keep in business. "... Don't attempt to use your buying organization, your competitor’s personality or a million other alibis because you attempted it or accomplished it ... It is you who will be driving the other fellow to what is generally called 'unfair competition or unfair competitive methods’ if you fail to see the wisdom of equity in evei'y thing.” Richey concluded by advising each and every member to think it over before he "hogs all the product,” from his competitor, and strongly suggested that they “live and let live” and give each other the opportunity of having an equitable amount of product, so that both may be able to make some money out of the business. ARCHITECTS NAMED FOR STAR AT MILFORD Milford, Mich. — Bennett and Straight of Dearborn are architects for the new Star to be erected here soon by Mr. and Mrs. R. G. Hewitt, operators of the present Star Theatre. The new house will be erected on the site of the present house and will seat 400 persons. The new theatre will be completely modern, fireproof, and finished in black and tan Maul-Macotta. Work will start on the building as soon as contracts are let for the structure. "Polygamy" Draws Detroit— "Polygamy,’’ which is being distributed in this territory by A1 Dezel, opened this week at the Downtown Theatre, and may be set in for a second week. The picture, produced by Ted Toddy who was here to assist in the opening campaign, is billed as “a sensational expose of polygamous cults in Arizona.” Peckham to Meeting Detroit — Ralph Peckham, branch manager for Grand National, was to leave this week to attend the company’s first annual convention to be held in the Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles. The first session will open Thursday, May 13. “We will announce 65 pictures for the 1937-38 season at the convention," said Peckham. Candid Camera Nights at Fox in Detroit Detroit — Capitalizing on the new candid camera craze, the Fox Theatre here has set aside Monday night every iveek for candid camera fans. The theatre advertises it as an added attraction, permitting the camera addicts to take photos in any portion of the house on Monday nights. Prizes totaling $50 will be awarded monthly by the Fox for the best candid camera shots taken by amateurs entering the contest. Detroit Exhibitors to Oust Carnivals Detroit — With summer approaching — the season which brings plagues of carnivals to the city — agencies are beginning work to campaign against these and other similar competition to motion picture theatres. Mrs. S. S. Sutherland, chairman of the preview committee of the Greater Detroit Motion Picture Council, is understood to be planning an extensive campaign against carnivals, church festivals and Keno and Beano games in churches. "It is about time that something was done against carnivals coming into the city for one week, milking a certain vicinity dry, and then leaving,” said a local exhibitor this week. “In the meantime, the exhibitor who pays taxes every day in the year, is forced to lose considerably during that week, while his expenses go on as usual.” H. M. Richey, general manager of Allied, is planning to contact numerous organizations within the next few weeks, with a view toward having permanent relief from traveling carnivals coming into Detroit, under the guise of aiding charitable groups. Honor Fred Schader Detroit— Freddie Schader. who has returned to Detroit to handle the exploitation campaign for Columbia’s “Lost Horizon,” was welcomed with an elaborate press party at Cliff Bell’s Commodore Club last Friday. Attending were Norman Hill, private secretary to Governor Frank Murphy; Amos Beatty, secretary to Police Commissioner Heinrich Pickert; film critics, city editors and society editors of the local newspapers. » IE T K €> ll[ T gAM BROWN’S Dexter Theatre is to be the scene this weekend of the Grand River Star’s neighborhood cooking and fashion school. Glenn Cross celebrated his twenty-ninth year of married bliss with the missus last week in Battle Creek. In attendance were Mr. and Mrs. W. S. McLaren, Jackson; Mr. and Mrs. Claude Cady, Lansing; and Mr. and Mrs. H. M. Richey, Detroit. Elmer Balaban, of the Brothers Balaban, Chicago, was a local visitor last week. He was in for business conferences with the manager of his Adams Theatre here, Charlie Perry. Incidentally, Charlie Perry has now returned to active duty on the Variety Club, since he was able to throw away those crutches last week. A. M. Siegel of the Chicago office of General Register Corp. was visiting local dealers of his company this week. The Metroites gave the conventionbound voyagers a royal Broadway send-off last week, what with that “elegant” paper shower as they entered the taxis in front of the film building. For once a woman can’t talk back. Ralph Peckham, Grand National manager, has installed an inter-office communication system. The girls in the office can be called on it but they can’t talk back to Ralph. Jim Sharkey’s sales staff is still going to town in the Jules Levy drive and this week stood first among all the exchanges in the United States in the contest. Walter Morgan is now aide to Bernard Brooks and Ray Schreiber at the Crystal. Sid Bowman of United Artists is so used to forecasting to exhibitors how much business his product will do that when he became the proud father of a bouncing baby girl last Friday he just doubled the heiress’ weight and exclaimed: “Fourteen pounds, six ounces.” Finally, we learned the exact weight of seven pounds, three ounces. Mother and daughter are doing fine. Claire Winnie of the Dix Theatre has moved his office down to the Film Exchange Drug. You should see him sorting all his invoices and checks there as he talks figures with salesmen. Harlan Starr is doing more forecasting. (Continued on page 67) NEW THEATRES FINANCED MILTON STRAUSS 2627 David Stott Bldg. Detroit Telephone: Cadillac 4712 64 BOXOFFICE :: May 8, 1937.