Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1939)

Trailer Bill Is Passed By Delaware Senate Dover, Del. — The Rinard trailer bill, limiting the length of trailers, screen ads, and previews to three minutes during one complete show in Delaware theatres, has been passed by the senate of the general assembly by a vote of 12 to 3. The measure, introduced by Sen. Paul R. Rinard of Wilmington, makes it unlawful for theatres to display trailers, ads, previews which would require more than three minutes to show unless due notice is first given patrons by displaying conspicuously upon the cashier’s window, upon all billboards on the front of the theatre and in newspaper advertisements that such ads were on the screen. The bill would also make it unlawful for any theatre to cut into, insert, or display any ads, preview or trailer in any newsreel and that newsreels would have to be solely of news. The measure is designed to protect patrons against long previews and other screen ads after paying to see a complete program of entertainment, Senator Rinard pointed out. Opposing the bill, Sen. Earl Sylvester said that theatre managers know best how to conduct their business. Violations call for a fine of $50 for the first offense and $100 for the second. Donovan , Irving Trust Allowed RKO Fees New York — Federal Judge William O. Bondy has allowed the law firm of William J. Donovan $65,000 as an ad-interim allowance and Irving Trust $37,500 for its services to RKO from Oct. 1, 1937, to Sept. 30, 1938. Donovan had requested $95,000 and Irving Trust, $85,000. Previously, Donovan has received $245,000 covering a period from July 1, 1934, to Oct. 1, 1937, and Irving Trust $155,000 for a like time. This makes a grand total of $502,500 received by the RKO trustee and his solicitor since the filing of the receivership. Also allowed by Judge Bondy was $588 to Donovan for disbursements. Defer Writ Issuance Against Walt Disney Philadelphia — Walt Disney won a postponement in the issuance of an injunction requested by Mark S. Tutelman, advertising man, who claims Disney got the idea of synchronizing cartoons and symphonic music from plans Tutelman drew up. The hearing, in which Disney is codefendant with Leopold Stokowski and Deems Taylor, will resume this week before Judge Joseph Kun. Booking Winners Chicago — Winners of the booking contest for Universal bookers were announced at the regional here. Jack Susami, Detroit, took first place. Second went to Art Young, Cleveland. Other winners included: Orville Peterson, Milwaukee: Ferdinand Fortunate, Philadelphia; H. Whitman, Los Angeles; Mark Holstein, Oklahoma City. Incorporations NEW YORK Plaza Amusement Corp., New York. Capital: $20,000, $100 par value. Incorporators: Joseph E. Segal, Harry Friedson, Ruth Kam, 511 Fifth Ave. Attorney: Harry Friedson, 511 Fifth Ave. Contimovie Sales Corporation, New York. Purpose: Apparatus, electric motors, etc. Capital: 220 shares, no par value. Incorporators: Hendrick Van Der Schalie, 52 Vanderbilt Ave.; James L. Robertson, III, 55 Liberty St.; Lillian Vignand. 1692 Grand Concourse. Attorneys: Abberly, Bryde, MacFall & Amon, 55 Liberty St. D. W. F., Inc., New York. Purpose: Amusement enterprises of all kinds. Capital: 200 shares, no par value. Incorporators: Charles S. Hefter, Marcia Lieberman, Elsie Rathjen, 70 W. 40th St. Attorney: Philip Witenberg, 70 W. 40th St. Religious Films Association, Inc., New York membership corporation, has dissolved. Attorney Myle J. Jolley, 40 E. 41st St., filed dissolution papers with the Secretary of State. Official Motion Picture Producers, Inc., has been incorporated to conduct a motion picture and equipment business in New York. Capital: 200 shares, no par value. Directors: Pauline Altman, Edith Plant, Gladys Schwartz, 1450 Broadway. Attorneys: Weisman, Celler, Quinn, Allan & Spett, 14 50 Broadway. Beach Movie Corporation, New York. Purpose: Motion picture and theatrical business. Capital: 200 shares, no par value. Incorporators: William Felstiner, Lawrence J. Sheldon, Ann Westerman, 270 Madison Ave. Attorneys: Spiro, Felstiner & Prague, 270 Madison Ave. Griffith Theatres, Inc., to conduct theatres, etc. Capital: 1,000 shares, no par value. Incorporators: S. L. Mackey, C. O. Layman, and K. D. Rau of Wilmington. Prominents of Industry Discuss " Censorship " New York— -Prominent industry figures spoke Thursday night at the film division of the Theatre Arts Committee meeting at the Astor Hotel on anti-censorship. Louis Nizer acted as chairman. Langdon W. Post, a member of the National Board of Review executive committee: Edward A. Golden, vice-president of Monogram, and several others gave their opinions on the subject. Film Processing Patent Infringement Charged New York — A patent infringement suit has been filed in the federal court by Fink-Roselieve Co. against the Camera House, Inc., claiming infringement, by selling, of a device for Film Processing, patented March 28, 1939. The usual relief, an injunction, accounting of profits, and damages are sought. Goldstein-Kallet Suit Is Settled Out of Court New York — The long pending litigation between Edward Goldstein and the Kallet Circuit has been settled out of court, according to Goldstein. The action, brought by Goldstein last July, involved payments of royalties on Bank Night. Momart "Lottery" Trial Is Set for May 10 New York — Trial has been set for May 10 in special sessions of the management of the Momart, Brooklyn, for violation of the lottery laws. Christos Karnovas, the manager, entered a plea of not guilty when arraigned in magistrate’s court. Political Division Holds Censor's Confirmation Philadelphia — Dispute between Democratic legislators and Republican Gov. Arthur H. James continues to keep Pennsylvania in the position of having no official censor. The Democrats so far have refused to okay appointment of Mrs. Edna R. Carroll, Republican politician. Meanwhile, Cal Core, former chief inspector, and Florence McCreesh, assistant censor, are carrying on with the temporary authority granted them by the governor. Mrs. Carroll is at work in the censor office, but takes no official actions. Sunday Show Privilege Is Further Assailed Harrisburg — The old story that film interests paid Democratic leaders $100,000 to win passage of the Sunday show bill will probably get a re-airing this week before the Dauphin county grand jury. Meanwhile, the state legislature, now controlled by Republicans, is considering two bills that would hit at Sunday shows. One, an outright repealer, was introduced by Representative Herbert G. Gates, Armstrong. Another, just put up by Senator J. Albert Reed in the form of a resolution, calls for a special tax of 25 per cent on all Sunday admissions. Loew Changes Trailing Olympia Acquisition New York — With the acquisition of the Olympia by Loew’s, several changes in the managerial lineup have been made. Edward Crawford, who has been at the Burland, now is at the new house. Martin Waldman of the Canal is at the Burland, and Walter Mock, assistant manager at the Kameo, Brooklyn, has been promoted to manager at the Canal. Ben Newman of the Rio and George Kirby of the Elsmere have switched posts. Caution Members Against Assigning Music Rights New York — Members of the Dramatists Guild under term contract to various music publishers have been advised not to assign recording and television rights of their works to the administration committee of the Songwriters’ Protective Ass’n. Ray Henderson, Gus Kahn and George W. Meyers represent the committee. The SPA states a majority of their members have already assigned their rights, despite the Dramatists Guild order. Change in Bristol Bristol, Va. — Marshall Jesse, head doorman and artist at the Paramount Theatre here, succeeds William A. Wilson jr„ resigned, as manager of the State here. Both are Publix-Bamford houses. Wilson moves to Marion, Va., as manager of the Lincoln. Maine Sunday Shows Legalized Augusta — Sunday shows in Maine are now legal, Gov. Lewis O. Barrows having signed a bill to that effect. 26-L BOXOFFICE :: April 22, 1939