Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1939)

Relationship of Clearance To Giveaways Debated INDIANAPOLIS J^AST week Indianapolis theatregoers were treated to some real exploitation which did much to improve the lagging boxoffice grosses. Ted Nicholas, manager of the Lyric, starred Tony Martin of screen and radio fame with a background of Anson Weeks’ Band. Art Baker, the genial manager of the Circle, not to be outdone booked Vincent Lopez and his orchestra. The stage show was headlined toy Patricia Ellis and Ben Blue, screen stars. The Kentucky Colonel, Ken Collins, manager of the Indiana and Apollo theatres, featured Deanna Durbin in her newest picture, “Three Smart Girls Grow Up,” and moved “Love Affair,” starring Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer, from the Indiana to the Apollo for a second week run. Ward Farrar, manager of Loew’s heralded the opening of Walter Wanger’s “Stagecoach” by meeting a TWA airliner carrying the print from Hollywood to Indianapolis. The employes of the theatre, attired in costumes depicting the feature, met the airliner in an old-fashioned stage coach and delivered the print to the theatre after a circuitous route through busy downtown streets arousing much interest. Trueman Rembusch has returned from his holiday in Florida and is looking in the pink of condition with a healthy coat of tan. Wade Willman, branch manager; S. J. Gardner, Jerome Adams, H. A. Wagner, salesman; and Harold Marshal, field representative, all of the local M-G-M office, are back from the 15th annual convention held in Chicago at the Palmer House. Theodore Charles has resumed work on his new theatre in Vincennes and anticipates opening early in the summer. In addition to the new house, Charles operates the Moon in Vincennes. The Circle Theatre here will have weekly stage attractions for the present. According to Arthur Baker, manager, stage shows will be a regular weekly feature as long as good material is available . . . Norman Moray, Vitaphone general sales manager, was a business caller at the local Warner branch. Bill Heineman, U?iiversal western sales manager, made a flying trip to Indianapolis from Chicago for a special sales confab on the play date drive and to discuss new product. William Wallace, head booker at Warner Bros, exchange, was confined to his home by influenza . . . Allen Usher, Paramount district manager, spent several days at the local branch on business. J. H. Stevens, Paramount manager, who has been confined to his home by influenza, has returned to his desk but is under the doctor’s care. Arthur Clark, booker for the Vonderschmitt circuit, Bloomington, was presented with a mysterious package by Abe Baker and Larry Shubnell, Columbia bookers. Shubnell made the presentation St. Louis — The suggestion of a prominent local exhibitor that the cost of giveaways, such as chinaware, silverware, dresser sets and cosmetics be considered in fixing the net admission price scale of motion picture theatres in determining their proper place in the clearance schedules, has brought into the open a subject that has been the cause of more than one heated argument between exhibitors here and elsewhere throughout the country as far back as the time when the first country stores were conducted by tent shows as a bait for cash customers. speech, but Clark refused to open the package until he reached home. Wilma Feaster of the Columbia staff is confined in the Methodist Hospital after an appendectomy . . . Theatrical Managers, Inc., has acquired the Cozy, Winchester . . . S. Henton, has taken over the Palms, Culver, from E. Hoesel. John Woytenick, North Judson exhibitor, is enlarging his Gable by adding a stage which will be completely equipped . . . The Brenen Theatre, Brenen, Ind., has been renovated, reseated and newly carpeted. Exhibitors along Filmrow: John Doerr, Chicago; A1 Borkenstein, Ft. Wayne; Bob Adair, Chicago; Nick Pakios, Tipton; Anthony Bokas, Argus; C. L. Harris, Zionsville; Art Clark, Bloomington; Bruce Kixmiller, Bicknell; S. J. and James Gregory, Chicago; Willis McGovern, Loogootee and K. H. Ball, Brownstown. Harold Reckley, Greencastle, who has been one of many flu victims, made his appearance here last week. Seen along the Row: Bill Luckett and A letter on this subject, read at the recent meeting here of the local MPTOA unit, led to the bringing up of the question as to which house charges the most — a neighborhood theatre that operates on a strictly cash basis on week-day nights at a 10 and 20-cent scale, or his competitor, who charges 10 and 20 cents but gives away a merchandise gift that costs him at least 10 cents wholesale and is worth far more to his patron on a retail basis. In spotting pictures to these theatres which should get preference in the matter of clearance? wife, Scottsburg; H. P. Vonderschmitt, Bloomington; Roy Harrold, Rushville; L. R. Condra, Milltown; R. L. Harned, Sellersburg; Dick Vlastos, Williamsport; Bob Hudson, Richmond; Karl Gast, Akron; John Boice, Warsaw; Paul Meloy, Shelby ville; Harry Muller, Anderson; John Doerr, Chicago; Arthur Howard, Monon; Harry Kornblum, Evansville; H. Lisle Kreighbaum, Rochester; Jerry Shinbach, South Bend; George Heliotes, Fort Wayne. Adapts “Canal Zone" Hollywood — “Canal Zone,” slated to co-feature Dorothy Lamour and Jon Hall, will be scripted by Wilson Collison for Producer Sam Goldwyn. Story to Republic Hollywood — “Men Without a Country,” story by Margaret Waite, has been purchased by Republic. Metro Assigns McLeod Hollywood — Norman McLeod’s first directorial assignment for Metro will be “Remember,” which Milton Bren will produce. Private Screening! — Here’s a gag pulled at the Chicago Universal exchange that had all Filmrow talking. The copy, of course, speaks for itself, and the exchange actually lived up to the wording, closing for an hour and a half while the print was being screened for all employes. BOXOFFICE : ; April 1, 1939 29