Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

Wisper Wetsman Start Building Twelfth Theatre Detroit — Wisper and Wetsman Theatres will start active construction on their twelfth theatre here this week when ground is broken for the Harper Theatre, to be built at Lakewood and Harper. The 1,700seat house is expected to be ready for formal opening some time in September. Work is continuing gradually on the Circle Theatre being constructed on West Warren by Joe Stoia and John Miskinis. Recent labor troubles have been impeding progress on the work. However, it is expected to be opened by August 15. Paul Building at Yale Yale, Mich. — Howard R. Paul, operator of the Romeo Theatre, Romeo, Mich., has begun construction of a new modem 400seat theatre here, which is expected to be ready for opening by September 1. The house will be one of the most modern smalltown theatres in Michigan when completed. The latest sound and air conditioning systems will also be installed. 900-Seater for Mt. Pleasant Mt. Pleasant, Mich. — Ground has been broken for a new 900-seat theatre to be operated by G. A. and Lee Ward, who also operate the Broadway Theatre here. The new house, which will have a stage available for vaudeville attractions, will be called the Ward Theatre. Bennett & Straight of Dearborn, Mich., are architects for the Ward, which will have 700 seats on the ground floor and 200 on the mezzanine. Latest sound and a complete air-conditioning system will be installed. The Wards will completely renovate the Broadway, following the opening of the Ward, which is expected to be ready for opening by July 15. Both houses will be first runs. Withers Expands in Saginaw Saginaw, Mich. — A new theatre, 500 seats, is being constructed here by Fred Withers. Withers is now operating the Janes Theatre. The new house has not yet been named. Carrow Finishing House Detroit — Ed Carrow, local exhibitor, who was married last week to Miss Mary Anne Ballott, is celebrating his honeymoon supervising the finishing touches on the 350-seat house he is erecting at South Lyons, Mich. The house will be ready for the summer tourist trade. Mr. and Mrs. Carrow will reside for the summ 'r at Silver Lake, where they have taken a cottage. VALLEY HEAD THEATRE OPENED Valley Head, W. Va. — Newly-constructed Valley Head Theatre was opened last Saturday. R. S. Summerson, Durbin, W. Va., exhibitor, is operator of the new house. Will Fete Schmertz (Continued from preceding page) William Fox, who, with a force of six people, was operating the Greater New York Film Exchange, distributing only in the Greater New York area. Within a few years, the business expanded and Greater New York Film Exchanges established offices in Syracuse, Buffalo, Cleveland and Cincinnati. Five years from the time Schmertz entered the employ of William Fox as office boy he occupied the chair of sales manager of the New York office. When William Fox sold his established exchanges to General Film Company and formed Box Office Attractions, Schmertz stayed with Fox and kept the same job as New York sales manager for the new firm. New York Manager 10 Years When William Fox converted Box Office Attractions with its five branch offices into the Fox Film Corporation with branches from coast to coast, Schmertz still continued to be manager of the New York office, a position he held for ten years. His New York managership of the three Fox affiliated distributing companies extended from 1913 to 1923. In that year he went to Albany to open another branch and stayed in Albany for six years, until 1929, when he came to Cleveland where it is hoped, he will remain many more years. During his eight years in Cleveland, Mr. Schmertz has taken an active part in civic as well as theatrical enterprises. He is a past president of the Variety Club and is a member of the Beechmont Country Club. It is the Beechmont Country Club which will be the scene of the testimonial dinner, under the supervision and direction of M. B. Horwitz and Jack Shulman at which his many friends within and outside the industry will celebrate a seldom-attained record. Congratulations, Mr. Schmertz. Congratulations 20th Century-Fox. DETROIT'S ART FILM HOUSE WILL CLOSE Detroit — After a season of successful operation as a foreign film house, the Cinema Theatre will close next week for the summer. Ira Kaplan of New York, operator of the theatre, will operate the house again next fall, the opening to come shortly after September 1. Numerous exhibitors have attempted to operate the Cinema under various names and policies in the last two years. It remained for Kaplan and his brother, A. T. Kaplan, to place the house on a profitable operating basis. J R. Kaufman, New Universal branch manager, returned this week from his company’s Los Angeles convention the winner of a diamond pin, indicating a fine increased sale of product. Dave Barnholz, Lou Hess, Si Feld and Tom Twigg, sales representatives, were other local delegates to the New Universal convention. George Elmo, local Paramount sales representative, was back on the job this week after a two-week vacation enjoyed in Cuba. Vrought with him an A-1 sun tan, plus a new mustache. Martin J. Shearan, of the local Warner Bros, advertising and publicity department, has oeen named as assistant manager of the Regent Theatre, East Liberty. Larry Leonardi, Enright usher, succeeds Shearan at the office post. The Claude Robinsons have moved into their fine summer home at Lake Floyd, a few miles out pf Clarksburg, W. Va., where the veteran showman presides at the Robinson’s Grand Theatre. Upon visiting him last week we learned that he was purchasing 400 yards of carpet for the Grand and that he was preparing to vacation this week in New York. Variety Club’s first family night at the new rooms in the William Penn Hotel will be June 11. Before departing for the Republic convention in Hollywood, Sam Fineberg was the guest of the local Republic gang at a special party tossed in his honor. A fine traveling case was presented to him for Mrs. Fineberg who accompanied the local Republic representative. The party also honored Mary Jane Thomas, who was observing a birthday. John H. Harris and John McGreevy were in New York last week negotiating new film deals for the Harris houses . . . John Lund was surprised this week when an insurance company paid off on a fire damage of over a year ago at his Marrianna theatre. He had believed that booth fires were not covered . . . The Dick Lange family has moved into the popular RKO salesman’s newly constructed home here, which has giver C. C. Kellenberg (20th-Fox) an idea. Strawberry festivals are real opposition to West Virginia exhibitors these days, outranking circus exhibitions and all other outdoor shows which are taxed by state and city. Garland West, Buckhannon showman, states that the June 3-4 event (Continued on page 96) DRAPES STAGE CURTAINS Designed and Manufactured in Our Own Factory American Theatrical Valance Co. 900 FIFTH AVENUE COurt 9723 PITTSBURGH, PA. SEAT COVERS VALANCES 94 BOXOFFICE :: May 29, 1937.