Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

SAUL SLOAN STARTING ESQUIRE THEATRE SOON Detroit — Saul Sloan will begin construction work soon, he said this week, on a 1,500-seat theatre at Harper and Cadieux. The house, Sloan said, will be called the Esquire Theatre. He is dickering with George Trendle to take over operation of the theatre. The Esquire is about a mile and a half from the new Harper Theatre, which Wisper and Wetsman are erecting at Harper and Lakewood, and about the same distance from the Alger Theatre, which Sloan built and Trendle is operating at Warren and Outer Drive. UNDERHILL TO RCA AS WENTKER TOURS Pittsburgh — P. W. Wentker, RCA Photophone service supervisor here for several years, has departed from this territory on an extensive lecture tour for the company and later he will headquarter at the company’s factory in Camden, N. J. C. R. Underhill jr. has succeeded to Wentker’s local post, W. C. Jervis, sales representative here, announces. Frank Hamer has taken over Underhill’s service territory which includes Johnstown and Altoona, and R. S. Sear has been transferred from Altoona to Fairmont, W. Va. 20TH-FOX EXPANSION PROGRAM UNDER WAY Hollywood — Plans for a building and expansion program were announced this week for 20th Century-Pox by Joseph M. Schenck, board chairman, at the annual sales convention in Los Angeles. Of eight new sound stages planned, he said that three are completed and two more are under way. The studio recently purchased 110 acres adjoining its present site. Cadogon Theatre Reopens Cadogan, Pa. — Cadogan Theatre, which was gutted by fire last December, shortly after having been taken over by Edward H. Pechan from Hayes Garbarino, now operating a new theatre at Clarion, was reopened last Saturday by Messrs. Goodyear and Fiore, newcomers to exhibition. Garbarino is booker and buyer for the house. Scottdale Reopening ScoTTDALE, Pa. — John Bixler of the Scottdale Amusement Co., operating the Strand Theatre, is preparing to reopen the long dark Arcade Theatre here for part-time operation. House will be newly equipped during the summer. "Horizon" Buildng Detroit — After opening weakly the first week, Columbia’s “Lost Horizon,” in its roadshow debut at the Cass Theatre here, has been building steadily the second week and is going on strong for its third week. Adjournment Near (Continued from page 59) within the state. Approval of a conference report by the senate and the Governor’s signature will make it a law. The administration figures the chain tax will yield $3,500,000 in two years. This revenue is for the announced purpose of increasing the pay of teachers in fourth class districts. When Senator George Kunkel of Harrisburg opposed Uniontown's Senator Anthony Cavalcante's motion to include chain theatres, the former said he was suspicious of the amendments and bluntly stated there had been a lot of money thrown around to block the bill. This angered Covalcante who retorted with statements to the effect that if there were any "inducements” being passed around, it was those who opposed the tax on theatres who were benefiting. With final enactment of the liquor measure pending at press time, theatres can obtain liquor licenses and sell to patrons. This measure is an act which nullified an old law prohibiting theatres from selling liquor. The interpretation is that motion picture theatres may obtain such license. The Frey bill passed by the legislature will do away with “chiseling” agents in the theatrical booking field. Whether located within the state or with offices out of Pennsylvania, a license is now required to do business here. Sunday Vodvil Bill Moves The act permitting Sunday vaudeville where Sunday films are legalized was moving rapidly in the house this week. The fire safety building regulation law, applying to theatres, and establishing a new code for emergency exits, extending the provisions of the original act, etc., passed both house and senate, and is in the hands of the Governor. Ahead on Censor Revamp The act amending the censor law, applying to films, banners, posters and other advertising matter, prohibiting the possession of films not approved by the board, requiring permits in certain cases and increasing the penalties for violation, passed the senate by unanimous vote and was active in the house this week. Senator DiSilvestro has introduced an act which would exempt theatrical and professional entertainers from the provisions of the female employment act of 1913, this matter pertaining to hours of labor, conditions of employment, etc. Senate committee on labor and industry studied the proposal this week. Senate passed the Thompson bill protecting the sources of confidential information obtained by newspaper reporters, vote being 27 to 18, and the house judiciary general committee approved this bill. Dortic Joins GN Pittsburgh — Charles L. Dortic resigned his sales position with United Artists and has joined the local Grand National exchange in a sales capacity with duties covering the main line. Dortic’s position at United Artists will be filled within a few days, according to Clarence Eiseman, UA manager. PITTSBURGH NATIONAL SCREEN BRANCH NEAR Pittsburgh — Jack Judd, sales representatice here for National Screen Service, announces that a local branch will be established within four months. This announcement is definite, and is the first such announcement from a representative of NSS, although it had been rumored for more than a year that such action was imminent. Local branch will be complete for handling trailers, accessories, and other NSS services, Judd states. Information concerning NSS’s local branch was received by Judd from George F. Dembow, NSS’s general manager. JAMES LYNCH OPENS BRIDGEVILLE HOUSE Bridgeville, Pa. — Closed for seven years, the old Granada Theatre here was reopened Saturday by James Lynch, former operator of the house. Lynch announced a 11-16-26 cent policy, operating evenings, with Saturday and Sunday matinees. The 500-seat main auditorium is in use, but the 100-seat balcony will not be opened for the present. Opening show was “After the Thin Man.” MAJORS ARE INVITED FOR ALLIED PARLEY Minneapolis — Invitations were sent this week to all major film company heads by A1 Steffes of the Allied defense committee asking participation in a conference to settle “present differences with independent exhibitors.” Steffes told the Northwest Allied unit convention here Wednesday he was confident the majors would accept. Oglietti Will Remodel Leechburg, Pa. — Guy Oglietti, operator of the Cosmorama and Palace theatres here, announced this week that the former house will be extensively remodeled and renovated this summer. New equipment and fixtures will be installed at the Cosmorama and on a smaller scale the Palace will undergo a program of improvement. Honors His Father PiTTBURGH — ^Lounge of the new Variety Club headquarters in the William Penn Hotel is being furnished by John H. Harris, national president of the Variety Clubs, as a memorial to his father, the late Senator John P. Harris, founder of the nickelodeon. Coplan Adds Film Detroit — Gus Coplan, who has taken over the Michigan rights for the picture, “Damaged Lives,” will play the picture in the Downtown Theatre, starting either June 18 or 25. 62 BOXOFFICE :: June 5, 1937.