Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1939)

Visitors From the Northwest — Visitors at the Warner Studio during a recent trip to the film capital, a group of northwestern showmen chat with Jane Wyman, studio contract player. Lineup, left to right: Peter Higgins, Seattle exhibitor; Jack Wright, Mercy Circuit manager of Walla Walla; Miss Wyman, and Fred Mercy jr., Mercy Circuit executive. Drop Clearance Suit Alperson F ranchising Against FWC Chain "Coniesiniie" Game Los Angeles — Suit brought by D. Scheinman and the Kinema Mission Corp. against Fox West Coast, charging conspiracy to withhold adequate first-run product, was dismissed with prejudice in U. S. district court. Plaintiffs had charged their Mission Theatre was entitled to first-run clearance in southeast Los Angeles and that the Gentry Theatre, operated by FWC in partnership with Lola Gentry, was receiving all first-run product in violation of zoning ordinances. Los Angeles — Currently invading the northwest as one phase of a nation-wide drive to secure franchise holders, Edward L. Alperson, organizer and president of Contestnite Corp., has sold his new “You Title the Song" boxoffice stimulator to the Jensen-von Herberg Theatre circuit for the entire state of Washington, he has informed aides here. Alperson, who announced formation of the company some weeks ago, has also franchised one theatre chain in Texas and has sold several eastern territories. Plans for the stimulant include produc r 1 * f Jr ’ iK* 1 i 1 ■ .3 ; '4S|i V li * V TBK jM The Westerners Arrive — The west coast contingent, on arrival for the Monogram Chicago convention, was met by several Chicagoans and easterners already in the Windy City for the confab. Those kneeling, left to right: J. S. Harrington, manager film and accessory operations; Martin Spellman and Frankie Darro, players; M. J. McCarthy, Los Angeles; Manny Reiner, assistant publicity director. Standing, left to right: Howard Stubbins, Los Angeles; Ella Logan, songstress, who also was on the train; Scott R. Dunlap, vice-president in charge of production; George West, Cincinnati, St. Louis and Kansas City franchise holder; Archie Silverman, Providence, R. I., exhibitor; W. Ray Johnston, president; Mrs. Spellman; Lester Durland, Kansas City; John W . Mangham, Atlanta; Lou Lifton, publicity head; Herman Marks, Chicago; Ray Olmstead, Los Angeles; Lloyd Lind, assistant to George Weeks, sales manager. On train steps are Henri Elman, Chicago; Mel Hulling, western division manager, mid G. P. Allen, San Francisco. tion by the Contestnite Corp. of 52 onereel novelty musicals, each containing a new, untitled, unpublished song. Theatres are to offer cash and other awards to patrons for what judges consider the best and most original title given each song. Shorts will be booked for one week each, the contract thus covering a year’s playing time. Alperson declares he has obtained authoritative legal advice that the stunt violates no lottery or “rackets” laws. The Jensen-von Herberg circuit owns 26 houses and, as franchise holder, can secure distribution on the stunt for every other theatre in the state. First series of six subjects, marionette shows, have been completed in natural color, original music and lyrics having been written by Mort Greene and Hal Borne, and scored by Borne and his orchestra. Next group of six will be miniature musicals with Vera Van and Jimmy Newill as vocalists, to be produced at the Cocoanut Grove, to be followed by another six-film series of animated cartoons. When all remaining territories have been franchised, Alperson will add a number of exploiteers to his field force to handle cooperative exploitation campaigns with theatres throughout the country. To augment this, he has prepared an elaborate "press book" available to all theatres playing the contest, which describes the stunt and suggests publicity, commercial tieups, exploitation and advertising angles. Alperson’s associates in the enterprise are C. C. Ezell and Phil Krasne, Krasne having been attorney for Grand National at the time Alperson was president and later distribution head for that company. Headquarters have been established at 6912 Hollywood Blvd. in Hollywood. New Allied Unit Sending Pair to Minneapolis Los Angeles — A meeting of the board of directors, at which tentative plans for attending the national Allied convention in Minneapolis June 13-15 were discussed, was held by the recently-formed California-Arizona-Nevada chapter of Allied States Ass’n of Motion Picture Exhibitors. James C. Quinn, executive secretary of the branch, declared after the meeting that probably two delegates will be sent to the convention. They have not been selected as yet. The local membership’s stand on independent-circuit relationships in this territory, as well as its opinions of the exhibitor-distributor trade practice code, will be presented to the main Allied body, Quinn said. Seth Perkins, president of the new Allied chapter, presided. Film Players , Pete Smith To Feature Congress Bow Los Angeles — Florence Rice, the Dead End Kids and Gene Autry are slated to appear at the opening of the Congress Theatre, May 19, with Pete Smith, M-G-M short subjects producer and narrator, scheduled as master of ceremonies. Opening bill for the new de luxe house will be “Stand Up and Fight” and “They Made Me a Criminal.” Joseph Steinberg is the owner and Clark Spaeth the manager. 30 BOXOFFICE :: May 13, 1939