Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1939)

(Continued from page 30-C) Picker, E. M. Saunders and Marvin Schenck banded together for an en masse assault on 729, where a hand-driven projector took care of some temporary screening wants . . . Sam Rinzler, making one of his infrequent luncheon appearances at Lindy’s, made a twosome with Abe Montague . . . Nearby a chubby group of Al Margolies, Manny Silverstone, Monroe Greenthal and clam soup . . . Over the partition to Leonard Saatz of Century, Arche Mayers, Ed Barison and Eddie Stern . . . Dave Brill, Eddie Cohen, who has left 20 th Century-Fox’s story department, and Irvin Shapiro . . . Arthur Greenblatt and Budd Rogers went it alone . . . Norman Elson of the Globe entertaining a Mr. London from Boston. Charles Leonard, formerly with UA on the coast, is due any day from the west. He’s looking for a new connection . . . George W. Trendle was in town from Detroit the latter part of the week . . . Barney and Mrs. Balaban caught the midnight show of “Midnight” at the Paramount last Wednesday. And while on Balaban, did you know he is a southpaw? . . . Ann Levy, secretary to Bob Wolff, who recently returned from the keys, left over the weekend for a vacation in Miami. According to Frank Dacey, Miss Levy is the best secretary in the world . . . Emil and Jack Ellis spent the Easter weekend in Atlantic City. And by the by, Emil’s family is sojourning in Miami, which makes two bachelors for the nonce in the Ellis household . . . Ben Judell, independent distributor recently turned producer, is understood selling out his interest in a number of midwest exchanges to his partner. Betty Goldsmith, secretary to James Mulvey, is aboard the Queen Mary bound for England and a holiday . . . G. L. Carrington, vice-president and general manager of Altec, is back from a short foray into the south. F. C. Gilbert, the company’s chief engineer, has returned from the middle west . . . Howard Dietz’s short Bermuda holiday has ended . . . Johnny O’Connor, Freddie Meyers, Maxie Fellerman and Roy Haines glimpsed at Moore’s at the luncheon hour . . . Harry Brandt arid Major Leslie E. Thompson at another table . . . “Spud” Goldstein, Innkeeper Bob’s brother, hopes to stay on here permanently . . . Charlie Einfeld sings the “Happy Birthday to You” number in the lusty manner. Weatherford, Bell Win " Antoinette " Contest New York — Frank Weatherford, of the Worth Theatre of the Interstate circuit, Ft. Worth, Texas, and Ray Bell, Loew’s, Washington, D. C., are the winners in M-G-M’s “Marie Antoinette” exploitation contest. The prize is an all-expense round trip to Paris with the two theatre men sailing on the Normandie, May 3. "Maluk" to Paramount Hollywood — “Maluk,” a story by Corey Ford and Alastair MacBain, has been purchased by Paramount. Haupt Strives Again to Get 'Ecstasy' Permit Albany — Jack Haupt, president of Eureka Productions, is making another effort to have the censor board issue a license for “Ecstasy,” the Hedy Lamarr film made abroad and banned in this state. Haupt says many of the objectionable sequences have been eliminated and it is his contention he will make as many more as are requested. REVIEW FLASHES EAST SIDE OF HEAVEN (Univ)— The boxoffice line probably will form to the right for this slap-happy romantic comedy, with Bing Crosby in top form and sharing the acting honors with a 10-month-old sensation named "Sandy/' Picture boasts several tuneful crooning interludes, all of which spell handsome returns. Herbert Polesie, associate producer; David Butler directed. FAMILY NEXT DOOR, THE (Univ)— Another in the seemingly endless parade of “Family" pictures, this relates the adventures of the screwball Pierce clan, but doesn't quite measure up in laughs or story content to other more established series. Will probably win average reception, however. Max Golden produced; Joseph Santley directed. FRONTIER PONY EXPRESS (Rep)— No sparing of the gunpowder here and the result is a fast-moving western. Roy Rogers climbs another notch to his place as one of the top cowboy singing stars. Action is plentiful, revolving about a pony express rider who figures in the plans of a Confederate senator. Joe Kane produced and directed. LADY'S FROM KENTUCKY, THE (Para)— Engrossing and entertaining race track yarn of thoroughbreds — human and equine — which can be played across the board with every assurance of long-odds payoff at the boxoffice. George Raft shows flashes of his old form in the top cast position with creditable support by Ellen Drew and a capable cast. Jeff Lazarus produced; Alexander Hall directed. STREETS OF NEW YORK (Mono)— As dramatic entertainment, this is heavily laden with appeal for the juvenile trade, but a dubious attraction for adult consumption. It's a tale of a lad of the slums who sets up Abe Lincoln as his ideal and strives to become a lawyer in the face of numerous obstacles. Jackie Cooper, moppet Martin Spellman give credible portrals in spite of weak script. William Nigh directed. COMPLETE REVIEWS on the above pictures will appear in an early issue of BOXOFFICE. JHOMAS PITTS is now managing the East End and Patrick Henry theatres. L. M. Carter, who formerly managed the Patrick Henry, is now maintenance engineer for both houses . . . George Crozier, operator at Loew’s, is building a home out on Grove Avenue Crest . . . The Big Sister Society of Richmond recently gave two benefit showings of “Mayerling” at the Capitol . . . The State Corp. Commission has issued a certificate of authority to the Carrier Contracting Corp. to deal in airconditioning systems in Virginia. Joe Arcaro and Frank Storino, owners of the Lincoln Theatre in South Richmond, have signed contracts with local 370A for operators . . . The State Conservation Commission has started the distribution of its new picture, “ Colonial National Historical Parks,” which covers scenes in Williamsburg, Yorktown and Jamestown . . . John Simmons, usher at the Byrd for a number of years, has secured a position with the state library . . . Eddie Weaver, Loew’s organist, has taken up table tennis . . . Harley Davidson, Paramount salesman, was in town last week telling about his tonsil operation. The Petersburg Rotary Club presented its fifteenth annual show at the Century . . . Benjamin T. Pitts, Virginia theatre circuit owner, has been appointed president of the Skyline Battlefield Park Tours Ass’n. . . . Joseph Mullen sr., father of the manager of the Bellevue, had a narrow escape in a train wreck down in Mexico ... D. D. Query is building a new theatre in Abingdon . . . Noonday Lenten services are being held in the Paramount Theatre, Newport News . . . W. S. Snidow, manager of the Palace in Christiansburg, recently was elected mayor . . . Edith Lindeman, film editor, Times Dispatch, is back on the job after being out with the flu. Dorothy Shewbridge and Ann Donati, members of the home office staff, Neighborhood Theatres, were given surprise birthday parties recently . . . Joe Mullen, manager of the Bellevue, had an eyeattracting lobby display for “The Dawn Patrol” consisting of a miniature airport and planes . . . Al Nowitsky gave a sneak prevue of “St. Louis Blues” at the Colonial . . . Cashiers have been warned to be on lookout for counterfeit five-dollar bills. Union Picketing Restraint Decision Is Awaited Wilmington, Del. — Chancellor W. W. Harrington reserved decision on the petition of the Rialto Theatre Co. for a temporary injunction, pending final hearing, to restrain picketing and any other interference by Local 473, IATSE, at the New Rialto Theatre. The defendants are Projectionists Local 473 and officers and members of the local union including four projectionists employed at the theatre up to February 7. The projectionists walked out charging the management with refusing to negotiate a new contract. The union has been picketing. 30-H BOXOFFICE :: April 8, 1939