Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

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EXCHANGE UNIONISTS DISSATISFIED Police Stop Run of bpain in names Vacaville, Cal. — This predominantly Spanish-American agricultural community is in virtual turmoil as a result of the interrupted showing of “Spain in Flames,” socalled “radical propaganda” film by the mayor and chief of police. Under the auspices of the Spanish Union of Vacaville, the picture filmed in wartorn Spain, supposedly by Soviet photographers, was being shown last weekend in a local hall as part of a gathering to raise funds for the “Lincoln Battalion.” The “Lincoln Battalion” is understood to be an organization of United States citizens fighting on the government side in the Spanish conflict. Claim No Permit Issued Claiming that no film permit had been granted, the chief of police broke up the meeting, arrested four of those present, and confiscated the projection equipment. Members of the Spanish group charge that the police beat up several of those in the hall, including an elderly woman. The further claim is made that application for a permit was registered, and that the applicants were told no permit would be necessary for a showing. Re-Showing of Film Promised A re-showing of “Spain in Flames” at the same hall as part of a mammoth protest demonstration was promised for this week by the sponsors of the films. “Spain in Flames” has been extensively shown throughout the San Francisco bay region without protest, registering excellent grosses in two-day runs at the Columbia Theatre in San Francisco and at an auditorium in Oakland, as well as at single showings in several of the surrounding communities where Spaniards form a large part of the population. The film is an Amkino release. AMUSEMENT BOOKING OFFICES ARE OPENED Portland, Ore. — Northwest Amusement Booking Offices have been opened at Suite 417 Platt Bldg. here. The new concern has been organized by Jack W. Martin, exhibitor and field representative for leading picture distributors; Don B. Smith, field representative; Miss E. E. Smith, secretary, and Robert Bell, office manager. Many of the old and newer acts will make their headquarters and be under the management of this new concern. They also will represent state rights pictures and other independent product in the Pacific Northwest. Why Don't Some People Keep Wide Awake? San Francisco — R. T. “Dynamo” LaMarre, loho manages the President Theatre here for Lawrence Borg, swears this is true: Like many local suhsequeiit-runs, especially in the downtown district, the President uses a cash giveaway audience-getter . One night during the drawing ushers in the back of the house were horrified to hear a mild, poorly -dressed woman in middle years soundly berating the sailor occupying the seat next to her, the charge being “ungentlemanly conduct.” But when the prize number was called for the third time, she stopped suddenly, and shouted that she had the winning number. Which was what the poor misunderstood sailor had nudged her awake to tell her! Frederick Mercy sr. Honored by Trade Seattle, Wash. — Frederick Mercy sr. is being honored and congratulated throughout the entire Yakima Valley this week on the occasion of his twenty-fifth anniversary in the motion picture field. In Walla Walla the Quarter Century Club comprised of business and professional men who have done business in Walla Walla for the past 25 years or over, made Mercy an honorary member of the club, although his 25 years pertain to Yakima. He has been in business in Walla Walla for the past 11 years. Some 200 attended the gathering and all the Mercy circuit managers were introduced by Jack Wright, city manager of Mercy theatres in Walla Walla. A booklet from the Chamber of Commerce was presented to Senior Mercy after which Junior Mercy told of the expansion and operation of the circuit bearing their name. Toastmaster was Lloyd Spencer, newspaper and advertising executive and who for many years worked in vaudeville. The Walla Walla Union, the larger of the dailies, carried a special Silver Jubilee section of 12 pages. The front cover was a large picture of Senior Mercy with a congratulation headline. The Mercys have theatres in Pasco, Kennewick, Sunnyside, Toppenish, three in Walla Walla, and five in Yakima. Newspapers in all these towns carried full pages on the celebration. Junior Mercy, who handles all the booking and buying for the circuit, did himself proud by moving the Liberty Theatre in Yakima back to “one feature” program with selected short subjects. L. A. Members Complain Against Policies and Wage Scale Los Angeles — With its organization less than a week old, cries of dissension have already been heard in the ranks of Los Angeles’ film exchange workers’ union. Despite the fact that all members have been sworn to secrecy, Boxoffice was told this week that many complaints concerning the wage scales and the administrative policy have been voiced and that there is a strong possibility that many of the charter members may withdraw. Chief bone of contention among the members is that the wage scales asked are not equal to scales asked in similar offices along the Pacific coast, particularly Seattle. Other matters said to be getting their share of attention from the complainers center around the manner in which the administrative affairs are being handled by the local officers. A third meeting was called for Thursday, June 10, at which an administrative board was to be appointed to draw up a code of operations and discuss the possibility of admitting the bookers to the union, which has been heretofore limited to back office workers, or shippers, poster clerks and inspectresses. At last week’s meeting William Little, Grand National, and Sol Taggart, RKO, were appointed president and treasurer, respectively, names for the administrative board were nominated, and over 100 charter members were sworn in. Representatives from the Projectionists Union, local 150, with which the workers are affiliated, attended the meeting. AROUND 35 ATTEND WB COAST MEET Oakland, Cal. — Some 35 Warner Bros, men gathered last weekend for the company’s first bookers’ and ad salesmen’s convention, held in the exclusive Leamington Hotel here. The entire Pacific coast region was represented, including those from the British Columbia and Alberta exchanges in Canada. A. W. Schwalberg, Warner supervisor of exchanges; Sidney C. Davidson, advertising accessories sales manager, and I. F. Dolid, assistant general sales manager for Vitaphone short subjects, were here from New York for the confab. Charles W. Muehlman, San Francisco Warner exchange manager, headed the northern California territory contingent. News Strike Hurts Oakland, Cal. — Every theatre in the entire Metropolitan Oakland district has been badly hit by a newsboys’ strike which has prevented a large percentage of prospective audiences from knowing what films are showing and where. BOXOFFICE June 12, 1937. 49