Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

K A Y C IE IE IJERE’S a tip for postal inspectors. Queer things are being sent through the mail. The other day an innocent looking can, normally used by National Screen Service to ship trailers, traveled from Mound City, Mo., to Filmrow. Addressed to L. P. “Les” Durland, the can was opened innocently enough. It was filled with damp loam, in which a bunch of angle worms squirmed. “Ike Yous,” Durland muttered under his breath, and promptly sent out for a can of sardines to mail to the owner of the Delphus at Mound City. Close friends of the two whisper that the fishing feud has been going on for years, largely through the medium of loud talk. C. A. Bodkin of Harper, Kas., was on Filmrow this week transacting business before going to Rochester, Minn., to secure some expert advice about Ms eyes. Some people have all the breaks. Every year about this time we envy George Baker, who left last week for West Yellowstone, Montana, to manage the Rustic Theatre there. George will be there all summer. Jay Haas, western ad sales supervisor for Paramount, was in town over the last weekend. Exhibitors on Filmrow this week; Robert O. Robison, Grant City, Mo., son of L. M. Robison, who operates the Rigney at Albany, Mo.; Mr. and Mrs. Dewey Gates of the Isis, Waterville, Kas.; Wayne Jenkins, Peoples, Pleasant Hill, Mo.; Lee Jones of Clinton, Mo. John McManus, Loew’s Midland manager, flew back to the job a week ago (May 28) from Los Angeles, where he spent almost two weeks with Mrs. McManus and their three daughters. “Mac” flew out and back, although he isn’t particularly keen on flying, but it gave him four more days than he would otherwise have had on the coast. On the return trip, bad weather forced a 6-hour stopover in Albuquerque. The races opened at Riverside last weekend, which is competition or entertainment for exhibitors, depending on which exhibitor it is. Par amount aineers Ralph C. LiBeau, Joe Manfre, Arthur Cole and Roy Young will leave Monday for the coast convention . . . The Palace at Ninth and Main Sts. has gone to all-night shows, the last one starting af 2:30 a. m. . . . Frances Smith is the new girl at Republic-Midwest . . . En route to Hollywood after visiting her mother who is ill in New York, Betty Furness, under contract to M-G-M, paused briefly in Kansas City’s union station. Add exhibitors in town: Sam Blair, Belleville, Kas.; George Nescher, Valley Falls, Kas.; Harry Musgrave, Oskaloosa, Wamego, and Minneapolis, Kas.; H. B. “Hank” Doering, Garnett, Kas.; John Brandt, Oregon, Mo.; A. J. Simmons, Lamar, Mo.; G. J. Spencer, Trenton, Mo.; C. R. Shaner, Odessa, Mo. Nelson Burrus and Harry Wheeler of (Continued on page 82) FOX MIDWEST BUYS REPUBLIC LINEUP Kansas City — Fox Midwest circuit has bought Republic’s entire 1937-38 serial program, including “Dick Tracy,” “The Painted Stallion.” “SOS Coast Guard” and “Zorro Rides Again,” in the following situations : Arkansas City, Coffeyville, Concordia, Dodge City, Eldorado, Emporia, Fort Scott, Hays, Hutchinson, lola, Kansas City, Liberal, Lyons, Marysville, Newton, Ottawa, Pittsburg, Salina. Topeka, Wichita, Winfield, all in Kansas. Also Boonville, Brookfield, Excelsior Springs, Kirksville, Lexington, Moberly, Nevada, Sedalia, Missouri, and six theatres in Kansas City, Mo. W. SMITH PROMOTED BY DICKINSON CHAIN Kansas City — Wendell Smith has been named by Glen W. Dickinson of the Dickinson circuit here as supervisor of the Lawrence, Osage City and Hiawatha, Kas., houses. Smith has been managing the Dickinson at Hiawatha. Jack Scott, son of Ward Scott, district manager for Twentieth Century-Fox, is managing at Hiawatha. H. R. Hamblin, formerly at Versailles, Mo., for Joe Ghosen, has been named manager of the Chief at Marceline, Mo., by Mr. Dickinson. First-Runs Organize (Continued from page 77) this agreement or the rules of No. 23, and to properly discipline any member who shall so disregard the interest of his employer or conduct himself in such a way as to injure his employer’s business.” Time begins in all exchanges, the letter from the union stated, at the time called for by the exchange manager, and ends by order of the same. “In justice to all concerned, and to avoid any unnecessary controversy, it shall be understood that the employe is only acting as an agent of the management, and as such is not to be held responsible for loss incurred from shipment failing to be shipped or delayed shipment. Neglect or willful abuse excepted. “It is to be understood that shippers will not be allowed to carry film from one exchange to another. “In the adjustment of any differences or technicalities not plainly construed, when differences might arise in the understanding of this agreement, at all times the decision of the executive board shall be recognized until the next regular meeting of this local. “Members of Local No. 23 must not work outside the jurisdiction granted them by lATSE and not infringe on the jurisdiction of any other trade local.” Nothing in the agreement is to be construed as to interfere with any obligation the union member owes to lATSE by reasons of “prior obligations.” The agreement, which the union insists be retroactive to June 1, 1937, is for a year, and would expire May 31, 1938. • DON “High Fidelity” Says: WE have the honor of installing the first push-pull sound heads in this part of the country. In fact, the only ones in the middle west this side of St. Louis. We installed them at Loew's State Theatre in St. Louis and have just equipped the Loew's Midland Theatre in Kansas City. They are the very latest and finest thing in sound equipment. Our line is the only complete one made for push-pull. Some of these days you will have just push-pull prints . . . SO LOOK AHEAD! And in the near future Loew's Midland will play the following big hits: Broadway Melody of 1937 C'ai)tains f'oiiragreoiis Day at (he Races Kni|)eror'.s Candlesticks I’arnell Watch for them and hear them reproduced on the best sound in town. Don AVIS Telephone HArrison 6953 906 Davidson Bldg — 17th & Main KANSAS CITY. MO. The Magic Voice of the Screen BOXOFFICE June 5, 1937. 79