Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1939)

Frank Murphy Ups Warren Canaday Chicago — In line with reorganization plans recently by Atty.-Gen. Frank Murphy, the local offices of the U. S. district attorney have been realigned. Warren Canaday, formerly first assistant district attorney, has been placed in charge of all civil matters and the criminal divisions of counterfeiting, narcotics, violations of laws under government bureaus and anti -trust cases. Under the latter, he will take direct charge here of any government suits against the motion picture industry. Restaurant and Parking Tie lor B&K Esquire Chicago — Harry and Elmer Balaban have made a tieup with the Ranch Restaurant, a half block from their Esquire Theatre, on Chicago’s gold coast, whereby the restaurant offers theatre-luncheons and theatre-dinners. The restaurant advertises that its patrons may have lunch or dinner and then be “our guest at the Esquire Theatre” with “your car parked free at Lydy's” (nearby parking lot ) . And, as if three pieces of dishware are not enough to give away, just this week several premiums companies here have added a new “6-for-l deal.” It’s a deal whereby the patrons get not ONE but ACTUALLY SIX pieces of dishware or glassware for one admission. Next they’ll up the ante to a complete kitchen set at one time. Then what’ll they think of after that. Sam Gardner Promoted to M-G-M Managerial Post Indianapolis — Sam J. Gardner, salesman of the local M-G-M office, who has just returned from the 15th annual convention in Chicago, received a promotion to branch managership of the Salt Lake City exchange. Gardner was given a testimonial dinner Monday night and a sendoff at the Variety Club by the entire Filmrow prior to his departure on Wednesday. Gardner has been in Indianapolis approximately ten months. He has set up the enviable record of putting his territory through 100 per cent sold which is doubtlessly the first time in the history of the Indianapolis exchange. Alger "Sells" Theatre Managers in Circuit LaSalle, III. — The Alger circuit has been exploiting managers of the various houses by having the LaSalle Post run special stories and pictures of the theatre heads. Stories have been recently on H. P. Larson, manager of the Apollo, Princeton; W. G. Erbes, State, Mendota, and Jules Landfield, Valley, Spring Valley, 111. “WISH-YOU-WERE-HERE” card from Hollywood Amusement’s Phil Fischer, enjoying the Miami Beach sun and scenery. Sam the Barber of Filmrow is now giving "serve-self" service. Unable to wait for both a shave and a haircut, Saul Meltzer got the haircuit and shaved himself. Mike Simons, editor of the M-G-M house organ, the Distributor, while here for the convention, stayed over a day and took a pictorial record of the entire office staff in Chicago. Duke Hickey, for several years one of Universal’s outstanding exploiteers, who has been seriously ill for several months, is well again. He is renewing acquaintances on the Row, "fit as a fiddle,” and rarin’ to get back on the fir mg line. Ben Elrod, Paramount salesman, is reported convalescing, though still quite ill, at Passavant Hospital, from his recent automobile wreck near Joliet. Lou Aurelio, Paramount ad sales head, is back at the exchange after a week’s illness. Jess Kreuger and Cliff Work of the Paramount west coast publicity department are due here this weekend to lay preliminary plans for the arrival of the Union Pacific ballyhoo train for the Cecil B. DeMille film, “Union Pacific.” Arthur Jacobson, Paramount talent scout, was through here, en route back to the studio. Abe Teitel has the distribution rights in the Chicago exchange territory for “Crisis,” the film dealing with the international incidents concerning Czechoslovakia. T. J. Brandon of Garrison Films, New York, was here this week conferring with Irving Franklin, who is handling distribution in this territory of "The 400,000,000.” WEEKLY TRAILER SERVICE COMPLETE WEEKLY SERVICE Animated — Full Length Trailers on All Pictures — Inquire Now Lowest Weekly Cost TRAILER-MADE SERVICE OF ILL., INC. Johnny Mednikow, President 1300 So. Wabash — Chicago — CALumet 5900 SIGNS MARQUEES AND MAINTENANCE Whiteway Electric Sign & Maintenance Co. Tom Flannery, President 315-17 W. Walton Street Phone DELaware 9111 This is the filmization of the China-Japan war. Narration is by Fredric March. Art Therrien is now “behind the counter” at Harry’s Cigar Stand . . . Tri-National’s “Peg of Old Drury” had its run at the Esquire extended this week a second time. John Balaban, now on the coast for his annual studio visit, is due back the latter part of this month . . . Joe Kaufman, B&K booker, is back after a short Hot Springs vacation. Sam Gorelick, RKO city sales manager here, was expected to go to Los Angeles to attend the funeral of relatives who were injured in an automobile-bus accident there. Mannie Gottlieb, Universal branch manager, is vacationing in the southland with Mrs. Gottlieb. Sam Clark, Warner exploiteer, woke up the other morning to find himself owner of the “Sam Clark Service Station” in Deming, N. M. At least that’s what he thought he was dreaming when he found such a postcard announcement on his desk. It developed a friend had sent him the card and that by accident another Sam Clark actually did own such a service station there. Warner is expected to get the permit from the police censor board this week on “ Blackwell’s Island.” Santa Fe Chief passenger list included Edward Arnold going back to the coast with Mrs. Arnold, and the much-delayed Merle Oberon, en route to London for picture-work with Alexander Korda. Lenten services are being held in several of the loop and suburban theatres. Joan Crawford had a visit with the newspaper folk as she passed through here Saturday en route to New York. THEATRICAL PRINTING A. B. C. PRINTERS, INC. We Print Everything Theatrical 1225 South Wabash — Chicago For lowest prices Call — VIC 3456 FILMROW RESTAURANTS GATEWAY GARDENS 1136-38 South Wabash — Phone WEB 0799 COCKTAIL BAR— RESTAURANT Banquets — private parties — business meetings— card parties — our private dining room is ideal. TRADE DIRECTORY = A HANDY GUIDE FOR THE EXHIBITOR CHICAGO BOXOFFICE :: April 1, 1939 31