Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1939)

When the Barkers Converged on Detroit — They were greeted by the reception committee pictured at the left in the entrance to Greenfield Village, Dearborn. Standing: L. C. Becker, Irving Belinsky, Ralph Ruben, Mac Krim, Eddie Stuckey, Cem Merritt, Bill Turnbull. Front: Frank Wetsman, Miss June Smargon, one of the guests, and Wade Allen. RIGHT : The national canvassmen of Variety Clubs of America. Standing : Allan S. Moritz, Cincinnati: Lou Rome, Baltimore; R. R. Biechele, Kansas City; R. J. O’Donnell, Dallas; Eddie Shafton, Omaha; M. A. Lightman, Memphis; Marc Wolf, Indianapolis; and Charles Trampe, Milwaukee. Seated: Everett Bennett, Dayton; William Jenkins, Atlanta; John Walsh, St. Louis; Jake Lavene, Buffalo; Nat Wolf, Cleveland; and Bill Carlson, Detroit. / Harry F. Kelly, acting governor of Michigan and regularly secretary of state, left, with M-G-M's William F. Rodgers. The Hear! of Show Business Revealed By B. O. TELLER Detroit — Detroit is glad it was host to the Variety Clubs of America in annual convention. It saw the true heart of show business; from the roistering lighter side of frivolity to the quiet tug of man’s humanity to man — and children — it saw that heart. While realizing it could participate only as a kindly and generous friend, Detroit joins show business in cheering the noble response to the emergency that confronted little Katherine Variety Sheridan in that Pittsburgh Theatre and the national movement that sprang therefrom. Through the business sessions, presented in more detail elsewhere in this issue, to the finale in the convention banquet Detroit proved a congenial host and the local tent was tireless and faultless in ministering to needs and comfort of the visitors. Highlighting the banquet was an address by John B. Kennedy, news commentator and “voice” of M-G-M’s News of the Day. He reminded that “users of force always perish by the force they set in motion.” His reference was to Hitler, Mussolini and other leaders of totalitarian states, whom he berated as enemies to civilization. His address was broadcast over the Michigan network. Speakers were introduced by George Jessel, banquet master of ceremonies, who came in from New York for the event. The Fox Theatre presented a complete floor show, and Ethel Shutta sang several songs in her incomparable style. More of the speakers, and their comments: Malcolm Bingay, editorial director of the Detroit Free Press, commented that “the Heart of Variety is really the heart of show business. Variety is dedicated to the axiom of having a great desire to do good without any thought of publicity for it. That is real charity, not the giving of Charlie Perry, Detroit chief barker a?id official host of the convention. MPTOA’s Ed Kuykendall gets a kick out of Boxoffice special edition, shown to him by Rev. B. W. Pullinger of Detroit’s Grace Episcopal Church, who gave the invocation. Convention Banquet Is a High Spot alms. Charity is love of God and your fellow man.” Edgar A. Guest, nationally known poet, of the Free Press, presented in poetry a “Creed of Variety,” tracing the founding of the organization and its growth to its present size. “A man is told to drop everything and do nothing if he wants to live long, but an organization exists on doing things,” said Guest. “Variety will live to a ripe old age, because it is always doing great things.” John J. Maloney, Pittsburgh, chairman of the charitable committee, “The Heart of Variety,” announced the presentation of the Variety Humanitarian Award to Father Edward Flanagan of Boys Town. A silver plaque will go to tent No. 11, 80 BOXOFFICE :: May 6, 1939