Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

COVERING MASSACHUSETTS, RHODE ISLAND, CONNECTICUT, VERMONT. NEW HAMPSHIRE AND MAINE MASS. SESSIONS APPROACH CLOSE Newsreel Shots Are Censored in Mass. Boston— Scenes showing the May Day parade in New York, in which Communists participated, were deleted from the Pathe News clip No. 82 by the Massachusetts department of public safety. One other deletion, out of the 41 films surveyed, was ordered: this was of the first reel shots in 20th-Pox’s “Cafe Metropole” showing gaming. Two vaudeville acts out of 19 were disapproved for Sunday showings and two others were modified. Referring back to the May 3 release sheet, the department, under Commissioner Paul G. Kirk, ruled out the entire subject dealing with “Child Marriage Runs Into New Tenancy Law” from Paramount News No. 77. JOHN B. MAGANN IS FATALLY STRICKEN Boston — John B. Magann, city salesman for Warner Bros., died last Saturday at the Waldorf Astoria in New York. He had left Boston the previous Saturday to attend the distributors’ convention. He was 51 years old. He leaves a widow, Mrs. Helen Magann, of 51 Horne St. in Belmont. He had no children. Magann, known to associates as Jack, had been with Warner since the concern absorbed the local First National exchange about two decades ago. It is understood that he has been under a physician’s care for the past few years because of a heart ailment. Benjamin Abrams, a fellow Warner salesman and the deceased’s roommate in New York, discovered that Magann was ill and telephoned down for the hotel physician. Jack Magann was pronounced dead approximately an hour later, after attempts to revive him proved useless. A brother. Prank Magann, operates a taxicab service in Cambridge. EXHIBITORS DEFER BUSINESS MEETING Boston — The monthly business meeting of the Independent Exhibitors, Inc., scheduled for last week was postponed. Nathan Yamins, Fall River circuit owner who is both national and local Allied States Association president, discussed organization matters in an informal confab with Business Manager Arthur K. Howard, VicePresident Frank Lydon, Frank Perry, Lester Bendslev, Richard Rubin, and others. A delegation from New England is completing plans to attend the national Allied convention in Milwaukee on May 26, 27, 28. Among those tentatively decided to go are Nathan Yamins, Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Peterson, Daniel Murphy, Joseph Flynn, Sam Resnick, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Rubin, Mr. and Mrs. William Wan, Arthur K. Howard, and several others. BOSTON FRIARS CLUB PREPARING TOURNEY Boston — Plans are progressing for the Boston Friars Club golf tournament to be held at the South Shore Country Club on June 8. Joe Cohen, booker for the Morris Pouzzner circuit, who is chairman of the affair, reports that competition for non-golfers as well as the regular treaders of the green, will be featured. One of these prizes will be a putting contest for novices. Prizes for one and all are being donated by exchanges. Serving with Cohen on the committee are Jack Meyers, head of the Hub exchange, and Morris Greene, theatreman. New Haven Spurt New Haven — Chamber of Commerce reports for the first quarter of 1937 show an average gain in the city in retail lines of about 15 per cent over the similar period in 1936. Robert Lancraft, retail head of the Chamber, remarks that in New England the decline in recovery now becoming apparent is less than in other quarters showing greatest gain in business. Industry on Guard Against Possible Rushed Legislation Boston — Motion picture observers at the State House are chiefly concerned at present with the possibility of introduction of new film legislation, as the session of the 1937 Massachusetts legislature draws to a close. Peroration is expected early in June. The film industry has escaped unscarred from unfavorable proposals to date. Censorship, admission tax, and other such threats have been successfully warded off for another year. Danger in Rushed Legislation Still awaiting action, however, are bills to increase the school age limit from fourteen to sixteen years and to establish a new building code in Massachusetts. Both of these bills, which are contingent upon industry interests but which are not generally opposed, are expected to pass. The present danger is that a petition unfavorable to motion picture business be brought in and rushed through both houses, members of which are becoming increasingly anxious to adjourn. FRED RUSH IS NAMED TO RKO BALLY POST Boston — Fred Rush has been appointed to the publicity department of the local RKO theatres by Jack Granara, local exploitation manager. Rush was formerly captain of the service staff of the Keith’s Memorial. He replaces Charles Patterson who resigned a few weeks ago to manage the Sam Kurson situation in Brandon. Joseph Ehrlick, with the local Loew’s theatres publicity offices until several years ago, continues as first asistant to Granara. Segal Gets Franchise Boston — Harry Segal has acquired the Boston franchise for the distribution of Imperial Pictures. A new New Haven setup, following the resignation of Philip Sherman, is being worked out. Segal was a New Haven visitor last week. NEW ENGLAND EDITTON Is One of the Seven Sectional BRAD ANGIER. New Eiigland Editor, 14 Piedmont St., Editions in Which BOXOFFICE Is Published Weekly. The Boston, Mass., Phone: Liberty 9305. GERTRUDE PEAR Other Six Editions Are: MIDEAST, CENTRAL, MIDWEST, SON, Suite 915, 42 Church St., New Haven, Conn. C. A. WESTERN, SOUTHERN, EASTERN, ROSSKAM, 106 Miller Ave., Providence, R. I.