Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

PENNSYLVANIA LAWMAKERS TO REST MIDEAST DELEGATES WIN METRO AWARDS Hollywood — Highlighting Tuesday’s session at the M-G-M sales convention here was the presentation of various awards for achievements during the past year by the company’s sales force. Two awards went to delegates from the Mideast area. They included the two weeks’ pay to the individual branch offices for the most satisfactory achievement during the year, and an award to the salesmen credited with 100 per cent records in sales during the past year. The former prise was won by Manager Prank Drew, Office Manager B. D. Stoner, Booker J. P. Harrington and Salesmen J. Sogg, E. Vogel, E. H. Brauer of Cleveland. Brauer was also the recipient of the latter prize as were Milton Jacobs of Cincinnati and Jack Sogg of Cleveland. Metro Delegates Los Angeles— Included among the delegates from the Mideast area attending the M-G-M annual sales convention here, were John S. Allen, Edwin M. Booth, William F. LaSance, Milton J. Jacobs, Harry J. Sheeran, J. E. Watson, Charles J. Weigel and Wade H. Windsor from Cincinnati; Edwin H. Brauer, Charles C. Deardourff, Frank D. Drew, John P. Harrington, Jack Sogg, Bryan D. Stoner and Eugene Vogel from Cleveland: Gilbert L. Becker, William G. Bishop, Floyd W. Chrysler, John Dembeck, Prank J. Downey, John E. Flynn, John F. Morgan and Harold Sandelman from Detroit; Milton Brauman, Herbert W. Genter. Saul Gottlieb, John L. Kelley, John J. Maloney, Edwin J. Moriarty, Jack B. Mundstuk and Jack Walsh from Pittsburgh. TWO RIALTO FILMS BY PITT MONOGRAM Pittsburgh— -Before departing this week for Chicago to attend the sales convention of Monogram Pictures, D. J. Selznick, local manager of this exchange, which is known as Monogram -Royal Pictures, Inc., announces that two new independent productions have been acquired for distribution in this territory. The new pictures are Rialto Productions, titled “What Price Vengeance,” featuring Lyle Talbot and Wendy Barrie, and “Fury and the Woman,” featuring William Gargan and Molly Lampnt. Monogram-Royal Pictures, Inc., also is handling “Epilogues,” described as filmrecorded music for use before the opening of the show and at the close of the final performance. This is a weekly service. Kidding the Titles Albion, Mich. — One of the best doublebill titles ever found, was the one used the other night by George Bohn on the marquee of his Bohn Theatre here. The two pictures he listed were: “Three Smart Girls” . . . “After the Thin Man.” LEO PLAYS -A’r HOLLYWOOD CONVENTION' Hollywood — Gleaned by the roving reporter at the M-G-M annual convention held at the Ambassador Hotel here, May 2-3-4: It was John Bembeck’s first train trip away from Detroit, his home city, where he is a booker. Bill Bishop, Detroit exploitation man, found himself pretty well exploited during the trip. He is a double for Bob Woolsey, of Wheeler and Woolsey, and was besieged at every station by autograph hunters. He signed everything "Robert Woolsey.” Sol Gottlieb, Pittsburgh salesman, holds the marathon card playing record for the trip. He made a “sleeper jump” covering the entire length of the train and played in every card game he saw. Folks who watched Lionel Barrymore talk to Frank Drew of Cleveland remarked on the facial resemblance, which is only natural — they’re cousins. Jack Flynn, Detroit district manager, drank nothing but milk — spelled m-i-l-k — all the way out. He says he’s in training, but nobody knows what he’s training for. McCormick Begins Exhibition Career Beaver, Pa. — Operating control of the New Beaver Theatre here was in the hands of A. W. McCormick on Saturday, May 1, his purchase of the property from Max Schaffel being effective that day. “Denny” McCormick, 20th-Pox office manager for a number of years, who recently resigned this position to enter the exhibition field, was honored at a fine testimonial dinner in the William Penn Hotel the evening prior to his taking up his new duties, C. C. Ktllenberg, formerly West Virginia sales representative for 20thFox for many yeai’S, who has succeeded McCormick as the local office manager for the firm, was toastmaster, and the speakers of the evening included i.he various distributing managers, including Edgar Moss, 20th-Pox district manager, and numerous theatre owner friend who welcomed “Denny” into the ranks of exhibition. He was presented with a set of best grade matched golf clubs. The New Beaver Theatre will be renovated extensively during the summer, with the house in operation, and a gala opening is .planned for early fall. Liebler to Monogram Pittsburgh — William G. Liebler, experienced film sales representative here, has joined the staff of Monogram-Royal Pictures, Inc., D. J. Selznick, manager, announced on Tuesday, and the next day Liebler departed for Chicago to attend the Monogram convention. Session to Close May 21; Another Likely in Summer Pittsburgh — Word is received here at press time that the Pennsylvania general assembly in regular session will adjourn on May 21 and that another special session is being spoken of for this summer. Meanwhile, MPTO of W. Pa., Inc., is lobbying at Harrisburg against numerous adverse acts which are up for consideration. They are urging the passage of the amendment to the Sunday Movie Law (2039) which is out of committee on the floor of the house. Many Bills Pending Among legislative measures of trade interest now before the session, in addition to those enumerated at various times on these pages are: the Dent anti-injunction bill, rigidly limiting the right of courts to issue injunctions during labor disputes; the Frey 40-hourweek bill; workmen’s compensation act amendments; minimum wage bill for women and children; plan to establish a state-wide, centralized system of relief; regulation of public utilities; liquor control measures; controversial “chain store” tax; censorship bill; two operators in a booth; special switchboard attendant for theatres; uniform admissions; licensing of theatrical managers and agents; legalizing gambling in connection with horse and dog races; state regulation of decorators and painters; numerous labor acts and tax acts. REP. FRANCHISE MEN AS SOUNDING BOARD Cleveland — Something new in national conventions will be inaugurated by Republic Pictures when the roll is called in Hollywood May 31 to June 3. Instead of the usual gathering of sales heads and salesmen at which the salesmen and branch managers are informed of what has been decided upon and what methods shall be employed to sell the pictures determined upon by the production heads, all Republic franchise owners will sit in on the discussions of the coming year’s production schedule and will tell the production heads what types of pictures the picture fans in each territory want to see. Nat L. Lefton, Ohio franchise owner, feels that this is a most constructive move. Cleveland delegates to the Republic convention in Hollywood are Lefton and J. S. Jossey, franchise owners, and Sam P. Gorrel, sales manager. HAVE YOU A MESSAGE TO TEL’ ? HAVE YOU A CHANGE IN POLICY yoM wofit fp fvlf iialrons oboOt pn the screen? f iimack :w:l[t makii yptir tfoiler just FlimaCK \ • ..^TRBlLERtO Speed plu: dUty r Kel Try Us On Your Next Order ! 843 SOUTH WABASH CHICAQO. S5 BOXOFFICE :: May 8, 1937.