Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

THEATRE CHANGES AGAIN AIRED Advent of Spring Brings Sales and Reporls in Detroit Area By GENE RICH Detroit — The perennial outburst of sales of theatres and circuits — both actual and rumored — is in the air again, now that spring is here in full force. And heading the list customarily is the rumored sale of the Jake Schreiber circuit. This time the proposed new owner is Gus Coplan and a group of unnamed associates. Coplan has been dickering with Schreiber for the last two weeks for his five Woodward Ave. theatres. Coplan formerly operated the Columbia Theatre here, later building the Vanity Theatre in Windsor in association with several Canadian theatre men. He has recently returned from the west coast. Trendle-Skouras Deal Talked Currently the rumors of George Trendle taking over management of the Fox Theatre for Spyros Skouras’ National Theatres group are being aired anew. Both sides remain silent pending the final decision of Federal Judge Ernest O'Brien on the Fox Theatre reorganization. Wisper and Wetsman, who recently annexed the lease of the Lincoln Square Theatre to be taken over by them early in 1938, are dickering for several other choice houses. Wade Allen Gets Third Wade Allen, one of the early exchange workers who graduated to the exhibitor ranks several years ago, this week took over operation of his third house — the Grand Victory Theatre, which has been in the hands of Ben and Lou Cohen for numerous years. Allen started with the Arcade Theatre, Negro house on Hastings, then took over the Fine Arts Theatre, former Jake Schreiber house on Woodward Ave. last summer. The Grand Victory is on Grand River. VON COURT WILL BUILD Princeton, W. Va. — A new 500-seat theatre, announced as a “stadium type house,” will be erected here by F. F. Von Court across the street from his Royal Theatre. McArthur completes SHORT SALES JOURNEY Detroit — George McArthur of McArthur Supply made a short trip through the state last week, visiting with numerous exhibitors and finding that business continues on the upgrade. In Flint, McArthur visited with Lester Matt, who had just opened his new Della Theatre: Jimmy Minter, Doc Eiseman, Walter Sem, E. L. Booth and Rex Ingram. Moving over to Grand Rapids, George dropped in to say “hello” to G. L. Wiler and H. B. Boshoven of the Franklin, Liberty and Madison; William Murray and W. E. Goodrich of the Powers and Savoy theatres; H. T. Reynolds of the Family, and Allen Johnson. Bert Silver, dean of Michigan showmen, greeted McArthur at his New Silver Theatre, in Greenville, where George also saw J. S. Gibson of the Gibson Theatre. METRO, MONOGRAM DELEGATES RETURN Cleveland — The M-G-Mers are back from Hollywood, and back from Chicago is the Monogram contingent, all enthusiastic over next season’s product. The M-G-M delegation consisted of Manager Frank Drew, Office Manager B. D. Stoner, Salesmen Jack Sogg, Edwin Brauer, Eugene Vogel and Chief Booker Philip Harrington. The Monogram convention delegation from Cleveland was headed by Nate Schultz, franchise owner for northern Ohio, Sam Schultz, office manager, and Salesmen Lee Chaplan and Carl Scheuck. "Polygamy" Good Detroit — "Polygamy,” new roadshow picture being distributed by A1 Dezel, had a successful week’s run last week at the Downtown Theatre. The film is an “expose” of the polygamous cult in Short Creek, Ariz. QEORGE W. WEEKS, GB sales manager, held a regional sales “fest” here last week with those present listed as “Reg” Wilson, district manager, and Branch Managers Mark Goldman, Pittsburgh; Harlan Starr, Detroit, and Joe E. Loeffler, Cleveland . . . While the M-G-Mers were conventioning out in Hollywood, the girls of the office were entertained at a dinner by Etta Sabetay and Sadie Meckler of the contract department. The Savoy, an Associated circuit house, is going through a complete rejuvenation process including a new front, renovated lobby, new carpets and chairs. Sayn Stecker is in charge of the job. Jimmy Kalafat, son of Associated circuit’s president, has been named manager of the newly acquired Rialto Theatre . . . Mrs. Ben Nadler, wife of the manager of the Franklin Theatre, which boasts of being the only house in the country which twice has had its fire escape stolen, is back from a two weeks’ visit in New York and Atlantic City. Members of the Cleveland Motion Picture Exhibitors Association, in meeting last week, stood in silence for one minute in honor of Maurice Kaplan, prominent local exhibitor who passed away just one year ago. Robert Menches, J. G. Dietjen, Max Federhar and Maurice Levin, all of Akron, attended the open luncheon meeting of the Cleveland MPEA. Local exhibs are cooperating 100 per cent ivith the Red Cross in showing the organization’s membership drive reel . . . Pete Wood, up from Columbus, exercised his rights as general chairman of the national Allied convention to invite all exhibitors, including MPTOA members, to attend the gathering in Milwaukee. Television and its effects on theatres will be one of the most important topics of the convention. Wood promised. Evelyn Stanzel has been added to the local GB staff as secretary to Manager Loeffler. This leaves Miss Frances Kates as booker and office manager. Dave Miller, Universal branch manager, and sales army consisting of Capt. Joe Krenitz and Lieutenants Harry Young, Jack Lefton aiid Jack Withers, left Thursday to join other Universalites en route to the company’s convention in Hollywood. The Monogram Detroiters at the Chicago convention last week. Seated, left to right: William Flemion, George Custer. Joe Mellon, Bert Foster, all salesmen. Standing, left to right: William Hurlbut, president; Sam Decker, treasurer and manager; Jack Saxe, salesman. DO you yNAHTBtMtn. SPECIAL TRAILERS? Try F/LMACH. Send Us Your Next Order. 843 90UTH , WABASH The SPEED and the QUAUTT f hHICHSu will please and surprise you! / 64 BOXOFFICE May 15, 1937.