Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1939)

Appeal Board Upholds K. C. "Spy" Permit Kansas City — The city’s forces of censorship this week stood ground against protests on “Confessions of a Nazi Spy,” and the picture continued to play at the RKO Orpheum. A delegation of German-born Kansas Citians called on city officials in an effort to get the film suppressed. Three days later, another group presented a petition to the mayor, Bryce B. Smith, and to the acting city manager, Eugene C. Zachman. The petition charged the film “is detrimental to the public good and tends to defame and ridicule” the Americanism of “a large number of Americans of German descent and loyal associations and organizations composed of such American citizens. “It further tends to incite discord and racial feeling and violates the traditions of the American people and the Constitution of the United States, which was founded upon the principles of justice and equality for all, regardless of race and creed.” Mrs. Eleanore C. Walton, city censor, already had approved the film. When the petition was presented to city officials, they called on the censorship appeal board, composed of M. D. Stevenson, past president of the Real Estate Board; Robert L. Mehornay, former school board member, and Mrs. A. P. Barry, past president of the Kansas City Council of Parents and Teachers. The appeal board saw the film, and upheld Mrs. Walton in her passing of the picture. Said the board, “We find nothing in the picture immoral, obscene or detrimental to the public good (namely detrimental to the community at large).” The petitioners were headed by Herman A. Gastreich, editor of the Kansas City Presse, and numbered almost 100. The American Legion strongly supported the showing of the film. Charges German Official Sought Censor Repeal Hollywood— Jack L. Warner states: “I understand this movement was headed by Herman Gastreich, German vice consul in Kansas City, who obviously is not a citizen of the United States. We do not believe any group, instigated by a German vice counsul, should interfere with the right of American citizens to see ‘Confessions of a Nazi Spy.’ Naturally we do not expect every individual to agree with the contents of our story, but we feel that no one other than the duly constituted authorities has the right to censor American motion pictures.” No Trouble in Omaha Omaha — “Confessions of a Nazi Spy” encountered no troubles when it ran at the Brandeis. It was a typical midwestern reception and the only comment was of approval from the theatregoers. IB HU IF IF A IL <Q> JOHN BASIL, (Vasiliadis), 82, father of the four Basil brothers, Nicholas, Constantine, Theophilos and Basil, is dead after a long illness. His sons operate the Basil chain in Buffalo and Niagara Palls. Byron H. Inderbitzen, who quit the exhibition field about three years ago to become undersheriff of Erie County, has bought the Central Park, north end community theatre, from the Mieczlaw Kon czakowski interests and will operate himself. He formerly ran the Roxy, now a unit in the Basil circuit. Konczakowski took over the Central Park from the McGraneAltman Corp., which now is devoted to amusement park operation. Fire of undetermined origin did about $1,000 damage to the home of George J. Gammel, operator of the New Ariel, Unity and Seneca theatres . . . The local Variety Club is arranging to endow a ward in the new Crippled Children’s Guild Hospital, and also to set up a research fund. Application for $34,375 Is Filed by Chemical Bank New York — Asking $34,375 for services as trustee of RKO under the collateral note indenture of the company, dated July 1, 1931, the Chemical Bank and Trust Co. of New York has filed an application in federal court. The bank also seeks disbursements of $4,025, the total covering a period from January 27, 1933, to April 30, 1939. The bank’s attorneys, Wright, Gordon, Zachry, and Parlin, also filed a request covering the same period and asked for $22,500. Both parties already have received $10,000 each on account. The bank bases its application on a ratio of $5,000 yearly, with the additional compensation of $13,125 represented by special services at the beginning of the receivership, at a rate of $2,500 a year. National Film Carriers Talk Rates, Tar ills New York — Rates and tariffs on interstate transportation highlighted the twoday meeting of the National Film Carriers, Inc., at the Park Central, which wound up with the re-election of James P. Clark of Philadelphia as president and treasurer; Thomas Gilboy of San Francisco, vice-president, and Clint Weyer, executive secretary. L. V. D. Benton of Atlanta was elected to the board of managers and the executive counsel of the MPPDA, and exchange supervisors for the major companies attended a luncheon on the final day of the meetings. Buys Lot for Theatre Cliffside, N. J. — John Avrutis has purchased a large plot on Anderson Ave., on which he will build a theatre, with work expected to get under way this summer. Mexican Labor May Force a Walkout New York — A showdown in Mexico which may see the American companies walking out as a result of the Confederation of Mexican Workers’ continued demands for a boycott on Hollywood films appears likely. The call for a boycott arising from a dispute between the confederation and the Rodriquez circuit of Monterey is seen as a prelude to the demands by National Federation of Motion Picture Employes for a new labor contract. As reported in Boxoffice, the present contract expires in August and the indications are the union’s new terms will increase the operating overhead by more than 50 per cent, in addition to placing a prohibitive liability on business in the way of indemnities. One executive sees the present situation as an attempt to cow the American companies so they will be more receptive to the union’s terms when it comes to talking a new contract. All representatives of the American companies in Mexico City have decided to act as one united group since they feel it is the only way to prevent the unions from completely dominating the situation. Exhibitors in Mexico City are in position akin to the middle of the fire and frying pan. The confederation has asked these exhibitors to refuse the product of the companies supplying the Rodriquez circuit and the companies have threatened the theatre owners with law suits if they do so. Metro's Fifth Regional At Chicago May 20-21 Chicago — Tire fifth of a series of six regional meetings between M-G-M office managers, bookers and checking supervisors takes place at the Palmer House here May 20-21. Other meetings have been held in Washington, New Orleans, Kansas City and San Francisco. The last conference takes place in New York, May 24-25. Alan F. Cummings, in charge of exchange operations, will preside. Others from the home office will be Charles K. Stern, Joel Bezahler, Parke D. Agnew, William Brenner and Mike Simons. Delegates from five exchanges set to attend, are: Chicago — John G. Kemptgen, office manager, Edna Frank, David Moskovitz, Walter Bennin, Harry A. Hopkins, Arthur O’Toole and Charles Vetrover. Detroit — Gilbert L. Becker, office manager, John J. Dembeck, Ambrose W. Fitzgerald and William B. Potts. Indianapolis — Foster B. Gauker, office manager, Donald S. McLeod, and Dewey V. Taute. Milwaukee — Joseph J. Imhof, office manager, Arthur J. Sontag and William Sorenson. Minneapolis — Albert C. Putz, office manager, Arthur Zuelch, and George J. Deutz, BOXOFFICE :: May 13, 1939 E 22-A