Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

COVERING MASSACHUSETTS, RHODE ISLAND, CONNECTICUT, VERMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE AND MAINE HUB THEATRE EMPLOYES JOIN AFL Church Conference Raps Pari-Mutuels Boston — Pari-mutuel betting, ace threat to theatre takes, was condemned by delegates this week to the New England Southern Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, meeting in East Providence. The action lines squarely behind that taken by other church groups in New England. “An enflamed mania for gambling,” the Conference reported, “is attacking the moral integrity of our citizens. We regard pari-mutuel gambling as a moral and economic detriment to any state. It undermines the industry of the individual, stimulating him to seek to get something for nothing. It is a frontal attack on constructive business, diverting funds that should be spent on the necessities of life. Cites Texas Ban “It debauches the state to accept revenue from an anti-social institution that preys on the poor and spreads poverty among the people. The moral sanitation of the state demands the elimination of this breeding place of personal and social deterioration. “We hope that the action of the state of Texas in repealing pari-mutuel betting will mark the beginning of a national movement which will drive this evil from all states affected.” Recent Attacks Resisted Wagering on horse and dog racing in New England, stoutly attacked in the respective legislatures this year, resisted, mainly by sheer force of its tax front, attempts to dislodge it from the territory. Tracks, already operating in several spots here, are breaking previous gate and betting records to the tune of depreciating theatre receipts. ALLIED HEARS CONVENTION REPORT New Haven — Allied Theatres of Connecticut heard reports of the Milwaukee convention by Abe Fishman on Tuesday at the Hotel Garde. Joseph P. Reed presided. Patron Suing Warner for Cash Prize Hartford — Mrs. Helen Stamaton is suing Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp. for a $350 Baiik Night prize allegedly due her, and other damages. The plaintiff asserts her Jiame was called as a winner at the Lyric Theatre, hut was so mispronounced it was impossible for her to hear or understand it. The management insist names were spelled out to make doubly certain. Decision was reserved in the court of common pleas. Joelson Nails Sale y Report with Buy Boston — Julius Joelson, independent theatre chain owner with offices in Somerville, last week met rumors that he was about to sell out to a major New England affiliated circuit by taking over two additional Masaschusetts houses. Joelson acquired the Warr in Wareham and the Temple in Onset. Both of these theatres were formerly controlled by William Warr. The action was taken despite reports by various strategically situated representatives in the industry within recent weeks that M. & P. Theatres Corp. might absorb the Joelson film interests. Such a deal, in fact, was said to have fallen through several weeks ago because the parties could not agree on terms. Joelson headquarters denied any knowledge of a probable transaction. Ben Abrams Upped Boston — Ben Abrams has been promoted to the position of assistant Boston branch manager for Warner Bros, by Manager Nat Furst. Abrams, a veteran salesman in the New England territory, fills the place left vacant by Jack Magann, who succumbed to a heart attack. 650 Members in New Group Elect Officers; Await Charter Boston — Labor’s long arm entwined itself more firmly around the New England motion picture situation last week as organization of theatre ushers, doormen, night cleaners, cashiers, and candy girls became a reality. The American Federation of Labor, whose representatives had earlier snatched the blossoming exchange workers’ organization out of CIO fingers, has linked this latest film unit into its national tieup, although at the time of going to press an actual charter had not been received in Boston. McInnes Named President Edward McInnes of RKO, formerly employed at the Metropolitan,, was elected the first president of the new Theatrical Workers’ union at a business meeting last week. Fred Kennedy of the Strand drew the call as vice-president. Hibbard Henderson, a captain on the service department of the Metropolitan and a member of the publicity department of the same situation, was elected treasurer, Evelyn Bligh of Loew’s State, the only one of her sex to be installed in office, was named secretary. Majority Become Members Some 650 members are already on the books of this youngest of New England film guilds, it is stated. Potential membership, drawing from theatres in Boston proper and such outlying spots as Dorchester, is estimated by union heads as being in the vicinity of 1,000. It has been learned by Boxoffice that certain theatres in the city have been giving the setup a cold shoulder so far as the mass of eligible employes is concerned. Strong hints have been dropped by some managerial representatives, too, that ushers and other similar employes on local theatre payrolls might do better to bring any grievances direct to theatre operators themselves than to attempt to gain desired ends through the medium of a labor organization. Plans of the present union have long (Continued on page 57) NEW ENGLAND EDITION Is One of the Seven Sectional Editions in Which BOXOFFICE Is Published Weekly. The Other Six Editions Are: MIDEAST, CENTRAL, MIDWEST, WESTERN, SOUTHERN, EASTERN. BRAD ANGIER. New England Editor, 14 Piedmont St., Boston, Mass., Phone: Liberty 9305. GERTRUDE PEARSON, Suite 915, 42 Church St., New Haven, Conn. C. A. ROSSKAM, 106 Miller Ave., Providence, R. I.