Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

J^UD LOHRENZ, Warner Bros, branch manager, flew back from the New York sales convention, traveling on the new speedy Sky Lark. The boys describe the convention as “marvelous.” They enjoyed the two legit shows, “Brother Rat” and “Tavorich,” at which they were guests. The new-season selling drive is now under way . . . Columbia’s new switchboard operator is Cerna Martin. She succeeds Ruth Shepard, who resigned . . . Morrie Abrams, M-G-M exploiteer, spent a few days in Duluth on promotional work. After the successful “Lost Horizon” roadshow engagement here. Jack Thoma, who is exploiting and managing the picture for Columbia, departed for Duluth where the film will be roadshown at the Granada theatre. Frances Peterson of the M-G-M office staff is vacationing in Montreal . . . Back from his Philadelphia vacation, Ted Aver is working hard on his Paramount sales’ job . . . The M-G-M bunch is just getting back to earth after their wonderful time at that Hollywood convention. Out of gratitude for the swell time they had they’re working harder than ever, if possible. A screening of “I Met Him in Paris” is responsible for the excess of enthusiasm at Paramount. The entire staff is pepped up over it. The picture, which surely looks like sure-fire boxoffice, is current at the Mmnesota here. Phil Dunas, Columbia district manager, a visitor . . . W. O. McPhall, Warner Bros, checking supervisor, has just completed an inspection tour of the territory . . . Fred Ableson, GB exchange manager, spent thq week in northern Minnesota. Out-of-tow7i exhibitors visiting Filmrow included E. P. Nelson, Waseca, Minn.; Frank Koppelberger , La Crosse, Wis.; Jack Wright, Red Wing, Minn.; Jack De Mars, Benson, Minn., and C. P. Knudson, who just took over the theatre at Red Lake Falls, Minn., after giving up his house at Watertown, S. D. Paul Lundquist, head booker, and Bill Clason, advertising sales’ head, were included in the 20th-Fox party of salesmen, headed by Moe Levy, district manager, and Joe Podoloff, branch manager. They left this week for the Los Angeles sales convention . . . Florence Edelman is resigning from National Screen’s contract department to wed Bernie Smiler. The wedding is scheduled for late June . . . Paul Lund quist, 20th-Fox booker, has a new car, but isn’t so happy, what with the hub cap continually popping off. Twin City exhibitors are lookmg forward with dread to the inauguration of night professio7ial baseball in Minneapolis and St. Paul in June. The American Association teams will play at least two night games a week at the start. Roy Smith, assistant M-G-M booker, is sitting at the wheel of a brand new car these nights . . . Merle Potter, Journal movie editor, is the newest convert to wrestling. He takes in most of the Auditorium shows. Industry Veers Off Adverse Bills Lincoln — Moving picture lobby at the Nebraska legislature scored a clean sweep again this year on antiamusement business legislation. Not a bill passed, of $650,000 worth of detrimental measured offered for consideration. The two 10 per cent measures, 10 per cent of the boxoffice take and 10 per cent of the gross film rental, were kiiocked out in committee. Demand for lavatories in all booths was knocked out in committee. And the $1,000 annual license fee bill aimed at distributors went into oblivion by way of pigeon hole. Of possible good effect on the business is the ayiti-Ascap measure which may cut down the music assess7ne7its. It passed and is m effect 710W, makmg violati07is subject to $5,000 fi7ie. Summon Exhibitors (Continued from page 109) cooperative organization of 29 theatres conducting Bank Night; William A. Singer, manager of the Brandeis; William Miskell, Orpheum manager; Sam Epstein of the Epstein Theatre Corp., Ralph Goldberg of the Goldberg Theatre Corp., Walter Creal treasurer for the Bank Night cooperative; Eddie Forester, Omaha manager, and TriStates and the A. H. Blank Theatre Corporations. Exhibitors Will Fight Bans The exhibitors said they will not abandon the game without a fight. They declare the drawings are a “legitimate trade stimulating plan.” “Since when has it become illegal to attempt to make a profit in the conduct of business in Nebraska?” asked Ted Emerson, exploiteer for Tri-States, in emphasizing that the injunction action set forth that the “defendants are benefiting over and above ordinary receipts as result of Bank Night.” When Attorney General Hunter’s office filed his suit charging Bank Night constituted an “illegal lottery and public nuisance” the supreme court did not act on an accompanying motion for an immediate restraining order. Temporary Injunction Will Be Sought Filing of such a suit directly with the supreme court is unusual in Nebraska and the court has to grant permission for such a move. Hunter said he was carrying this suit directly to the supreme court because attorneys for Affiliated Enterprises of Denver, owner of the copyright, failed to abide by a gentlemen’s agreement and make an immediate appeal after losing a district court decision in the Beatrice case. Assistant Attorney General Robinson also revealed that a motion will be filed soon asking a temporary injunction and a request for a hearing on the motion al 9 a. m. Monday, June 7. pORREST E. JUDD, Monogram’s local manager, will be married on June 26 to Miss Catherine Louise Davidson, daughter of Mrs. Elmer J. Davidson of Des Moines. The marriage will take place in St. Augustin’s rectory here. Miss Davidson was graduated from St. Joseph’s academy and attended the University of Iowa at Iowa City. The Tromar ballroo7n here which has bee7i featurmg 7ia7ne bands since opening this spri7ig, will have Bob Crosby’s band 071 May 27. Charlie Ag7iew’s ba7id is booked for May 30. Ag7iew is widely k7iown here shice he was rn. c. at the Paramount here dui'ing the Publix regime. Leona Mathews, assistant to H. W. Wengel, Tri-States, spent last weekend in Omaha where she was a guest at a tea for 75, given by Regina Molseed in honor of Ethel B. Good, a June bride-to-be, and former secretary to E. R. Cummings. D. P. Sherma7i, mitil rece7itly associated with Henry Rehfield as an exhibitor in Bloomfield a?id Moulto7i, la., has joined the sales staff of Mo7iogram here, Paddy Sherma7i is widely k7iow7i a7nong loim exhibitors. Monogram’s 30 exchanges have completed the first week of a nine-week sales drive for $1,500,000, with Des Moines heading the list in branch standings. Second to Des Moines was Kansas City, with Milwaukee, Dallas, Los Angeles and Pittsburgh following in that order. Cash prizes totaling $1,000 will be awarded at the close of the drive, July 10. Bob Fult07i, city ma7iager at Waterloo for Tri-States Theatres, ivas whuier of the all expenses paid trip to Hollywood for a iveek as the perso7ial guest of Adolph Zukor in the “Adolph Zukor” ll-week drive just co7icluded by Tri-States. BIG NEWS COMING SOON THE ALL NEW ALL FILM TRAVEL ON ROTATING SURFACES — NEW TYPE GYROSCOPIC FILTER — "DC" EXCITER SUPPLY — TWO-WAY HORN SYSTEM WITH CELLULAR HORN FOR HIGHS. PRICED FOR THE SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED THEATRE MANUFACTURERS AND WHOLESALERS 219 NORTH I6T!' STREET. .. OMAHA. NEBR. 112 BOXOFnCE ;: May 29, 1937.