Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

DEARTH ROADSHOW SITES IN KEY SPOTS New York — Major companies are conducting an intensive search for theatres suitable for roadshowing in key cities. The difficulty has increased this year considering that in all of 1936 but four $2 shows were exhibited at two-a-day, compared with a similar number so far this year, with 1937 still eight months to go. The situation in New York is particularly trying. With two roadshows already occupying the only available theatres. Universal, Paramount and 20th Century-Fox are known to be planning on two-a-day showings for forthcoming product. These are “The Road Back,” “Souls at Sea” and “Slave Ship,” respectively. “Lost Horizon” is in its eighth week at the Globe, and “Captains Courageous” bows into the Astor Wednesday, following 13 weeks of “The Good Earth.” The new Criterion is faced with a product jam, leaving the house ineligible for roadshow purposes. The only $2 show the house has tenanted was “Silent Barriers,” which was short-lived. Leases on the Astor and Globe have been tied up until mid-summer. EXPLOITATION FILM INDIANAPOLIS HIT Chicago — “Smashing the Vice Trust,” exploitation film distributed in the central territory by Capitol Film Exchanges, broke all recent existing record at the Indiana Theatre in Indianapolis last week. Under the personal supervision of Henri Elman, and with publicity direction by Bruce Godshaw, the picture went into the Indiana for a week starting Friday, April 30, and from the opening kept a constant line of customers such as that house has not seen in many months. On Saturday, the next day, the lower floor was sold out all day long and the balcony, which had not been opened for a number of previous engagements, was well filled all day. GCS PARTNERS BUY COURSHON INTEREST Chicago — Aaron Courshon, long identified with the G. C. S. circuit of theatres here, has sold out his interest to his two partners, Mort Goldberg and I. B. Perlman, in the Drake, Admiral, Portage, Revue and Fox theatres. Courshon left for Florida shortly after the deal was consummated, and although he has announced no plans, it is understood he is contemplating the erection of a circuit of new houses down there. The circuit also took over the Jeff Theatre from Jack Belke last Wednesday, May 4, giving them a total of six houses. General Plans 34 New York — General Pictures plans a program of 34 features including eight westerns for the 1937-38 season, according to information from its New York distributing outlet, Syndicate Exchanges. Time Allowed Broadcasts From Coast Has Doubled Two See Two for 8 Cents Herington, Kas. — Aiming for a new high, or low, in "bargain” competitive stunts, the Dickinson Theatre, a unit of the chain hearing that name, advertises two pictures for eight cents in cash. The ad promised another ticket for one cent to patrons buying one for seven cents. Pictures played were Universal’s "Three Smart Girls” and United Artists’ Selznick production, "Little Lord Fauntleroy .” Goldwyn Is Subject Satevepost Article Samuel Goldwyn is the subject of the lead article in the Saturday Evening Post for May 8. Written by Alva Johnston under the title of “The Great Goldwyn,” the article discusses Goldwyn’s work, his method of working, his temperament and the origin and persistence of “the great comic legend” that surrounds him. Of Goldwyn’s entry into show business, Johnston says: “The election of Woodrow Wilson changed Samuel Goldwyn from a glove salesman to a movie magnate. The Wilson administration lowered the tariff on skins. Sam thought that would take the profit out of gloves. He looked around for some other line and picked the movies. “That was in 1913. Sam was only 30, but he had been a glove salesman for 15 years. He had sold gloves to Yankee general-store proprietors. He had a sales enthusiasm bordering on a frenzy. Sam argues a man into a coma or into a disorder resembling ‘bends.’ His victim signs anything.” Of his contribution to motion pictures, Johnston says that Goldwyn “talked a large part of Hollywood into existence. The great Paramount studio is a monument to his nuisance value. The MetroGoldwyn-Mayer plant is largely the petrified conversation of Goldwyn. He has tortured vast quantities of talent and capital into Hollywood . . . “From the beginning of his career, Sam was regarded as the greatest salesman in the business. Later he was called the smartest publicity man and general showman . . .” New York — The extent of radio’s invasion of Hollywood and the employment of film stars in air programs is indicated in figures just released by National Broadcasting Co. showing more than 100 per cent increase in the time given to sponsored programs on the net work originating in Hollywood. In March, 1936, a total of 47 hours of network time had its source in Hollywood. In March of this year this was increased to 104 hours. This was the largest boost in time of the four leading program sources listed by NBC. There were comparatively slight increases noted for network time originating in New York, Chicago and San Francisco. Drama on the Rise NBC also reported, on the basis of comparative March figures, that drama programs are on the rise and music on the decline on sponsored broadcasts. Radio has taken credit for the revival of interest in better music and the upsurge in the record industry. But NBC’s figures show that the principal decline during the month was in music. Aided by the dramatizations of films from Hollywood, there was a sharp swing to drama, time devoted to such programs increasing 76 per cent over March a year ago, to reach a total of 194 hours. 300 PATRONS ESCAPE IN MUSCODA BLAZE Muscoda, Wis. — More than 300 patrons of the Muscoda Theatre calmly walked out recently when fire broke out in the projection room and quickly spread to the auditorium. Quick work of Andrew Peterson and his son Lawrence prevented any panic. The fire destroyed the entire inside of the theatre, but was prevented by firemen from spreading to adjoining buildings. Lass Handles Games St. Louis — The Ben Lass Agency here has been appointed official representative for Bank Roll, Hollywood and Wahoo, screen and cash award plans, it is announced by R. W. McEwan, manager of Affiliated Distributors in Kansas City. The territory covered by Lass will be eastern Missouri, southern Illinois and western Kentucky. Take Alteration Bids St. Louts — The St. Louis Amusement Co. on May 4 received bids on alterations to its Hi-Pointe Theatre, and to the West End Lyric Theatre. BOXOFFICE May 8, 1937. 77