Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

PHKILARIEILPHIIA Painters Renew Picketing; Ask Wider Labor Support New York — Resuming the picketing of Broadway first-runs, originally withdrawn pending wider labor support, the Painters' Union is asking the public to boycott the theatres in support of the Hollywood craftsmen's strike. Union Leaders Schedule Conference The Central Trades and Labor Council has been asked to give its support by Louis Weinstock, secretary-treasurer of the New York Brotherhood of Painters, “that we may organize on a larger basis.” The CTLC comprises every industry craft union identified with the AFL in the local area. A city-wide conference of union leaders affiliated with the CTLC was scheduled for this weekend. In the event they vote to throw their strength behind the movement thousands of men and women would be available for theatre picketing throughout the city, Weinstock said. Four New Houses (Continued from page 13) Island City, and have announced construction of a 600-seat house will start in time for an October opening. RKO IN Yonkers RKO has taken from Sam D. Cocalis the Parkhill and Broadway, Yonkers, and from Herman Sussman the Central, also in Yonkers. Harry Brandt has taken over operation of the Sheldon, Brooklyn. Fire believed to have been started by a discarded cigarette caused damage estimated at $30,000 late last week to the interior of Century circuit’s Central Theatre at Cedarhurst, L. I. Plans are already under way for repairs. The 68th St. Playhouse is now being operated by Leo Brecher. Ben Knoble has closed the Plaza. Mt. Vernon. Rovner Reopens Philadelphia — The New Colonial Theatre, 42nd and Lancaster Ave., opened Tuesday night after being completely rebuilt following its disastrous fire of a few months ago. The trade was on hand to wish Abe Rovner good luck. Rovner entertained his guests at a party at the Phoenix Club. New Cagney-GN Pact New York — James Cagney has signed a new contract with Grand National to star in two pictures next season. First of the two pictures slated is “Eiynamite,” a story of the Texas oil fields. Negotiations are now on for the purchase of an important story for the second production. Exchanges Unionize 100% in Philly Philadelphia — The unionization of exchange employes has been completed “100 per cent,” according to Harry Cohen, organizer of the Film Exchange Employes union. A meeting was to be held Eriday to elect permanent officers and to complete a collective bargaining contract to be submitted to exchange managers. Cohen said the ivage scales had been completed and would be submitted as soon as the present wave of sales conventions is over. He refused to divulge the scale but said "it was reasonable” and expected no opposition from the management. Condor Issue Halts for New Prospectus Washington — “Pending acceptance by the securities exchange commission of an amendment to the first prospectus issued by Condor Pictures no securities will be offered by Condor,” Don Hancock, company executive, said here this week. Charging that it had found a deficiency in the statement in items concerning rental of studios from Grand National Films, Inc., the commission issued a “stop order” Tuesday under Sec. 8 (D) of the securities act of 1933. The commission’s report held that “the lease as actually executed contained a clause obligating the registrant (Condor) to a minimum of 100 days per year, at a rental of $350 per day while in the studio and $175 per day while on location. The very extent of the variance indicates how indefinite the original oral agreement must have been,” the report said. Hancock said that a new prospectus had been filed and “it is expected it will be effective shortly.” Schedule Continues Hollywood — The suspension of the Condor registration certificate by the securities exchange commission in Washington will not affect the Condor production schedule here, George Hirliman, president, told Boxoffice this week. Hirliman declared that the SEC action was based only on a technicality and that he had been informed by company attorneys that the order would be rescinded soon. Hirliman said that Condor was continuing with 20 features. THIRTEENTH and Vine St. is beginning to look like a college campus — what with the boys going in for the hatless fad . . . There was many a farewell blowout in the taprooms and “pubs” in the neighborhood as the salesmen of Universal and Grand National got a good start for their trip to the coast for the big sales conferences. Sam Palen has left Columbia Pictures ... Ted Schlanger is bragging about his new house in Ardmore . . . Bill Fishman opened his new “Steeplechase” game agency on IZth St. .. . National Screen Service expects to move to the Paramount Bldg., \2th and Vine, in the next couple of weeks. The Max Mosicants are back from their honeymoon. She was the former Dorothy Stein . . . There’s going to be a hot time Monday when Sam Rosen throws that housewarming party at the new Monogram exchange . . . Herman Glucksman, Republic’s genial president, was in town this week renewing old acquaintances. The opening of the “Prince and the Pauper” at Warner’s Boyd Theatre Tuesday night was a gala event. Everybody, who was anybody in Billy Penn’s town, ivas there . . . Crowds stretched for a couple of blocks waiting to get in .. . Hizzoner, the Mayor and all the big -shots of politics, society, radio, etc., were there and gabbed over the mike in the lobby . . . Claude Rains was emcee. A new theatre is being built in Hatboro. Who’s going to run it is a guarded secret . . . Johnny Ehrlich, of the New Ideal, is sporting a new Plymouth . . . Ben Kassoy is the new manager of the Lorraine Theatre, taking Allen Lewis’ old F>ost . . . George Fishman of the Rio was a newspaperman himself once and can’t seem to forget it — he still chases fire engines. Frances Fay is leaving the 1214 Club for Hollywood where she will appear in a picture . . . Saturday night is “Oscar Neufeld Night” at the Variety Club, when the boys pay a tribute to a swell guy . . . Columbia is contemplating an extensive rebuilding and enlarging program . . . Grand National is expected to move to make room for Columbia’s new extensions. So is Republic. Alexander Films of Colorado Springs, Col., has taken office space with the Clarke Film exchange . . . George Nonnamacher, formerly connected with the Independent Film Bulletin, is now associated with George P. Aarons and will act as press agent for the UMPTO and editor of the organization’s publication “Contact.” Sam Rosen reports a swell time at his first Monogram convention, in Chicago May 7-8. GLOBE THEATRE BALTIMORE, INCORP. Baltimore, Md. — The Globe Theatre, Inc., 412 East Baltimore St., has been incorporated with 50 shares of stock, par value $10 each, by Benjamin A. Bernard and Anne Livingston. 16 BOXOFnCE May 15, 1937.