Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

M" and Mrs. H. F. Kincey of the WilbyKincey theatre circuit had as their guest Mrs. Irby Perrin of Selma, Ala. Merritt Davis, manager of Grand National. who just returned from the GN convention in Los Angeles, is being congratulated on Charlotte making second place in the recent GN Sales Drive. The Airdome. Charlotte's open air theatre, opened last Monday night with a large crowd in attendance. Miss Johnson, formerly of RKO, is now cashier for Southern Monogram Film Exchanges. J. E. Hobbs, manager of Universal’s Charlotte office, and Salesmen R. H. Masterman and R. T. Good have returned from the Universal convention held in Los Angeles. E. L. McKinley, former office manager for United Artists, has been transferred to Washington, D. C., being replaced by Ed Crowell, formerly with Grand National as booker. C. G. Lawing and Mrs. Lawing spent the weekend in Albemarle. Lawing operates the theatres in Badin, N. C., and Pageland. S. C. North Carolina visitors to the Row this iveek were: Bill Suther, Concord: J. W. Griffith. Forest City; R. Holt. Troy; J. W. Thompson, Durham; D. E. Cash. Kings Mt.; O. T. Kirby, Roxboro, and A. T. Sams, Statesville. From South Carolina were; L. A. Linder, Spartanburg; F. E. Vantine, Great Falls; A. H. Powell, Dillon; R. S. Rogers, Cheraw; Fred Curdts, Greensville, and E. W. Carter, Lockhart. J. ROBT. PATRICK TO VALDOSTA PALACE Valdosta, Ga. — J. Robert Patrick of Florala, Ala., has been made manager of the Palace Theatre here. Patrick has been connected with the Martin Theatres, operators of the Palace and Ritz Theatres in Florala, and is an experienced theatre manager. W. W. Lineberger formerly of the Palace, has been transferred to Florala, replacing Patrick. Goes to 4-Day Run Memphis — The Orpheum, one of Memphis’ five larger downtown houses and the only one operating with full-time vaudeville program, has gone on a four-day operation. J. Virgil Posey is manager. The theatre will be open on Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays. Adopt 5-Day Week Memphis — Three local film exchanges have adopted the five-day week plan during the summer months, it has been learned. The plan goes into effect this week at Vitagraph, Metro and Columbia. Cash Night Issue to Alahama Appellate Montgomery, Ala. — The legality of “jackpot” on Bank Night by theatres is before the Alabama court of appeals here on appeal of Cecil B. Grimes, manager of a Tuscaloosa, Ala., theatre from Tuscaloosa circuit court where he was convicted. Bank Night and “jackpot” have been in operation in nearly every hamlet and big city of the state for months. The Tuscaloosa case in which Grimes was fined $200 was one of the few instances where a theatre has met with difficulties in the presentation of the special awards. DEAN AND HEARN TO GN ATLANTA SALES Atlanta — Howard Dean and Hank Hearn, two well-known film figures, have joined the Atlanta office of Grand National Pictures. Dean, a Paramount man for 12 years and recently with 20th-Fox in Dallas, joined up with C. E. Peppiatt, branch manager in Los Angeles, at the recent convention. He will travel Alabama and West Florida territory. Hank Hearn, associated with M-G-M Atlanta for the past four years, has been active in the film business for the past 20 years. His first connection was with the Southern States Film Co., organized by Oscar Oldknow in 1919, later he was southern district manager of Associated Exhibitors in Atlanta, Atlanta manager of Liberty Specialty Co., and at one time was branch manager of the Memphis branch office for Vitagraph. He has been assigned the Tennessee and north Georgia territory for Grand National. Gain Charters (Continued from page 85) ing and represented practically all major exchanges on the Row. Charter to Charlotte Charlotte — A charter has been issued by the lATSE to the Charlotte Film Exchange Employes, local union B-33. About 98 per cent of the employes in the shipping, poster and inspection departments of the 12 local exchanges joined the new organization. Officers of the new union are: J. P. Hinson (20th Century-Fox), president; Mrs. Lillian Nolen (United Artists), vicepresident; O. R. Gill (Warner Bros.), financial secretary; H. E. Ritchies (Universal), treasurer; Mrs. Meriam Early (Paramount), recording secretary; Jack Wadsworth (Warner Bros), business agent; N. S. Fisher (Columbia), corresponding secretary; Charlie Pace (Columbia), sergeantat-arms. FLAT RENTAL ONLY Minneapolis — The Northwest Allied unit in convention here this week went on record to make no new-season percentage deals. Members resolved to buy on flat rental basis only. JF Federal Judge Wayne G. Borah consents to conspiracy suits against 20th Century-Fox and other major film companies, matters probably will be compromised and the case dropped by George Fuller, Pensacola, Fla., exhibitor. Fuller wants an even break with other exhibitors in future purchases. Suits for injunctions by the United chain against Columbia asking court to forbid Columbia leasing ‘‘Theodora Goes Wild” to any other theatre is set for June 8. The lowest admission prices yet seen or heard of in New Orleans was announced Sunday when Joy Houck, new operator of the Joy-Strand Theatre (formerly the New Strand) that he will admit children on Saturday mornings beginning June 5, for one cent with a regular feature and the usual trimmings. Adults are charged five cents for an ordinary seat, and ten cents for the best seats in the house . . . Gene Anthony, exhibitor from Ponchatoula, La., died Monday morning in the Marine hospital, New Orleans, after an illness of several months. Phil Blum, 83, formerly connected with Saenger Amusement here, died May 31. Blum, a native of Plaqumine parish, moved to New Orleans more than 50 years ago and for much of that time was affiliated with the Saenger company, which he joined at the time of its organization. He retired from active participation several years ago . . . Haberfeld & Flexer are putting the finishing touches on their new theatre in New Albany, Miss., which is to open within the next 30 days. M. C. White, manager of the Modern Talking Machine Co., leaves June 21 to attend the national meeting of the organization which will be held at the Waldorf hotel. New York City. RUMORS SPIKED OF PEPPIATT'S LEAVE Atlanta — C. E. Peppiatt will remain in Atlanta as branch manager of Grand National, despite many rumors that he was to be transferred to various other sections. And he has gone further and added two more salesmen. Hank Hearn and Howard Dean, who together with “Hap” Barnes give him three ace film peddlers. Anderson Adds 12th Dillon, S. C. — H. H. Anderson, head of the Anderson Chain of Theatres, has purchased the Carolina Theatre at Hamlet, and will remodel. This is the 12th theatre to be operated by Anderson in the Carolinas. Sarasota Ritz Repairs Sarasota, Fla. — The Ritz Theatre is to be extensively remodeled and repaired at a cost of $6,000, according to Manager Bill Hart. It also will be enlarged to accommodate 178 more seats. 90 BOXOFFICE :: June 5, 1937.