Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

THIS WEEK WE MEET MORRIS JOSEPH J^LONG about Maytime, Morris Joseph, manager of the New Haven branch, chalks up another anniversary with Universal. This year it’s the twenty-third. Three years ago 250 friends and associates tendered him an enthusiastic and memorable dinner at the Taft. This year they’ll celebrate Morris Joseph Week, May 16-22 in the territory, and express their congratulations with bookings. And as for the twenty-fifth, says Morris, “I’m looking forward to inviting all my friends to a dinner when that milestone rolls around.” Born in Prussia Asked to start at the beginning, Morris Joseph revealed that he was born in a small town in Prussia, mentioning the place but not the time. Fate pointed out Connecticut soon after, for Joseph’s family came to Hartford, and he attended kindergarten there. Teachers report he was a dapper little lad and showed an aptitude for exchanges which netted him more marbles per piece of gum that any other kid in the class could negotiate. This aptitude later came to the front in the famous "Foolish Wives” deal, which still elicited plenty of comment at the twentieth anniversary dinner. Made New Haven Exchange Center Just 23 years ago, Joseph found himself back in Connecticut, after having moved from Hartford to New York, This time it was New Haven. Prior to that, in 1912, Benjamin Salvini established the first Universal exchange in New Haven. It was on the second floor of the old Poll Theatre building. The exchange was a pretty inconspicuous and unimportant affair. It was virtually a shipping point for film distribution in the surrounding territory. Springfield, Mass,, was the important exchange center of that region. It had three exchanges, the Mutual, the General and Universal. Morris went to work in the Universal exchange in Springfield on May 20. 1912. It was his far-sightedness and perspicacity which closed up Springfield as an exchange center and made New Haven the only exchange point between Boston and New York. Joseph told the General Sales Manager in New York that New Haven was the most advantageous point from which to sell. The change was made, and he was established in New Haven, He soon found the little offices there too cramped and established quarters at 229 Meadow St, From that time on Meadow St, became Filmrow in New Haven, and every distributing company is now represented there. Longest in Continuous Service The Dean of Filmrow, Joseph is the only man in New Haven who can look back on 23 years of continuous selling of films and growing prestige. Several other exchange managers in New Haven worked under him at one time or another and benefited by his guidance, experience and business acumen. He sees the depression as defi nitely a thing of the past, with a 25 to 35 per cent increase in business during the past year, and the building and improvement activity in the territory a healthy sign of even greater prosperity. He believes the 10 per cent cancellation clause a real step forward in the ironing out of trade differences, and holds if a rapprochement is reached soon on labor difficulties, preferred playing time and a few other “difficulties” must be smoothed out, "I get sentimental now and then,” says Joseph, “when I think of some of the very bad periods that I experienced along with others, but on this twenty-third anniversary I can definitely feel that dark clouds usually do have their silver linings,” Columbia Reports Net New York — Columbia Pictures Corp. and subsidiaries for the quarter ended March 27, 1937, shows a net profit of $559,583 after depreciation, amortization, federal income taxes, etc,, equivalent, after dividend requirements on $2.75 preferred stock, to $1.61 on 316,358 no-par common shares outstanding. For the nine months ended March 27, last, dividends amounted to $3,27 a share cn common. More Redecorating Fairfield, Conn. — With the completion tion of Dixwell and Lawrence redecoration in New Haven, the Fishman circuit will begin reseating and redecorating activities at the Community, Seating has been increased from 800 to 1,000 by enlargement of the balcony. A new neonized silhouette type marquee will also be installed. JOE EUGENE FATALLY STRICKEN Boston — Joe Eugene, formerly projectionist for A1 Somerby and lately at the Shubert with Columbia’s “Lost Horizon,” is dead. The cause of his death is believed to have resulted indirectly from a sneeze which broke a blood vessel, causing a hemorrhage. He was a veteran of many years standing. BANK NIGHT RETURNS TO PLAINFIELD Plainfield, Conn. — John Barnett will reinstall Bank Night in the Lily Theatre, beginning May 16. BOSTON (Continued from preceding page) nick, operator of the Wernick Theatre in Chicopee Falls, was in Boston last week for observation at the Lahy Clinic on Commonwealth Avenue . . . Phil Maney, serving the industry at James W. Brine Co., was ill last week with the grippe. Joseph Rapolus of the Majestic in East Hampton ivas one of the Church Street visitors last week . . . Andrew Tegu has opened the 200-seat Tegu’s at Morrisville, Vt. It is a new situation. Sam Haas, former Columbia salesman, will have his day in court at Dedham on May 25, according to the present schedule. He is suing for damages coincident with an automobile accident. Steve Broidy, Leo C. Brittoji, Ben Welansky, and Philip Sherman have been attending the Monogram convention . . . Peter Latchis, Northern New England chain opera.tor, was in Boston on business last week. EDWARD SAFRENE WILL SHOW FILMS Boston — Edward “Tex” Safrene has taken over Horticultural Hall in Manchesterby-the-Sea for operation as a motion picture theatre. The house has been closed, insofar as films have been concerned, for the past few years. A. S. Wonsen formerly operated it. NOW BOOKING NEW ENGLAND DISTRIBUTION HARRY ASHER 50 Piedmont Street BOSTON HANcock 6387 60 BOXOFFICE : : May 15, 1937.