Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1939)

ID) IE W V IE R JjjARL COLLINS, salesman out of the Denver branch, has been promoted to manager of the United Artists exchange, with A1 Hoffman, manager for the past few years, going on the road . . . “Lost Horizon” has been brought back to the Aladdin, first run, for an indefinite stay. Cy Gertz, publicity expert for the Civic theatres, hied himself to California for a vacation. Clyde Anderson, manager of the Federal Theatre, edited the Civic News during Cy’s absence . . . The Comet has gone to 10 cents admission on Wednesday and Thursday. The Fox theatres, through an arrangement with the Baldwin Piano Co., have added a piano to their usual Ford car giveaway on Tuesday nights . . . Robert Selig, Hiawatha theatre manager, is the proud daddy of a boy, born last week. At Sidney, Neb., the Fox theatres staged a fake bank holdup to start the run of “Union Pacific.” A gang of seedily dressed men strolled into one of the banks during the rush and started firing at the ceiling with their six-shooters. The gunmen broke into laughter as the customers and employed dived for shelter, then shoving their guns into their holsters they distributed handbills about the “ Golden Spike” celebration, in preparation to the opening of the run. W. P. Bernfield of the publicity department of United Artists, was in Denver supervising a comprehensive advance on “Wuthering Heights,” opening at the Denver Theatre. Full cooperation was received from the public library, book stores, schools and similar contacts, and a strong teaser campaign was carried in the papers. Irving Jacobs, formerly manager of the GB and Grand National exchanges here, has gone to New York where he will produce three plays this fall. It is understood Jacobs has lined up motion picture backing for the project. The plays include “Deep Grow the Roots,” “ Heaven Can Wait” and “The Great American Family.” It is expected the first will be ready to show about September 15. Sunset Bowling Center Under Harry Charnas Los Angeles — Operating head of the new Sunset Bowling Center, now under construction in the Warner Sunset Blvd. studios, will be Harry Charnas, who resigned his post as executive aide to Jack L. Warner of the studio, to take the new position. Charnas was at one time a theatre operator in New York. The new bowling center, comprising 52 alleys, represents an outlay of $250,000, and will be ready to open May 29. Cosmo Adds Vaude Glendale, Cal. — The Cosmo, operated by Grover Smith, has added five acts of vaudeville to its regular two-picture program every Wednesday night. " Pacific " Shatters Takes in L. A. Los Angeles — "Union Pacific" has gone into its fourth week at the Paramount Theatre, shattering all previous long-run records for the house. Picture is slated to roll up a record-breaking gross of more than $75,000. Third weekend for the Cecil B. DeMille production topped the second weekend by $1,026. Distribution of Negro Films Taken by Sack Los Angeles — National distribution rights to the all-Negro product turned out by Million Dollar Productions, local independent company, have been acquired for Sack Amusement Enterprises by Alfred N. Sack, general manager, who has been here for more than a week. Million Dollar has produced five features thus far for the 1938-39 season, all distributed by Sack, and will make three more to complete the program. The 1939-40 slate will comprise eight pictures also. Harry Popkin is president and executive producer, with Leo C. Popkin in charge of production. Sack has returned to Dallas, his headquarters. A branch will be opened in New York August 1, with another office to be opened here shortly thereafter, giving the company five exchanges. ■QNIVERSAL took over the State Theatre for a trade screening of “The Mikado” . . . M. W. and R. J. Mattachek of McMinnville were on the Row during the week ... So was George Gould of Dallas . . . Grants Pass was represented by S. G. Mendenhahl and Roseburg by Donn Radabough . . . George Hunt of Medford is out of the hospital after contracting ether pneumonia following an operation. Edgar Mercy of Camas is back in circulation after relieving the manager of the Mercy Walla Walla house . . . Ted Gamble no more than heads the reception committee for Oliver Hardy and Harry Langdon than he dons a silk hat for the visit of the Norwegian prince and princess . . . Archie Holt, after renaming the New Rivoli Theatre the Pix, left this week for Seattle to engage a roadshow or two for his stage and change the policy of his house. Speaking of Hardy and Langdon reminds us that they were accompanied from Los Angeles by Marvin Hatley, Hal Roach musical director, and Frank Seltzer, Roach director of publicity. Jules Seltzer, his brother’s assistant, spent the week in Portland . . . Guy Navarre of United Artists passed through the fair city of roses on his way back from the L. A. convention and the S. F. fair . . . Jack Kloepper has returned to his desk from the same direction. SALT LAKE gRIGHAM GUY THATCHER, prominent in motion picture circles and well known in this section as a grandson of Brigham Young of L. D. S. historical fame, died last week following a heart attack. Thatcher also was active in the building of Logan and Cache county, Utah, where he was operator with his brother, G. W. Thatcher, of the Consolidated Theatre Co. from 1916. Both also were organizers of the Thatcher Music Co. at Logan and of the Thatcher Milling and Elevator Co. Funeral services were conducted at Logan. Manager Norman Sprowl, Assistant Manager L. Sorensen and the alert staff of ushers vieing for honors in publicity stunts, are attracting attention with their novel exploitation of “Blondie Meets the Boss.” The ushers win the laurels for wearing dainty aprons with the picture title printed thereon ... A motion picture camera valued at $85 was stolen from an automobile parked on Main street here, W. E. Swich of Schenectady , N. Y ., owner of the car, reported to police . . . Frank Forsey recently opened the Rio Theatre at Midway, Utah. The local Sheffield-Republic sales force has left for the convention in San Francisco. A new branch manager will be appointed during the conference to replace M. K. Ross who recently resigned . . . Sam Gardner, local M-G-M manager, is back from a successful swing throughout the southern part of the state . . . Gordon Thornberg of the Service Theatre Supply Co. reports that his firm has remodeled the Downey Theatre of Downey, Ida., operated by Russ Dautermann and Blaine Butters. R. J. C adman, who has been with United Artists in Salt Lake City for some time as sales manager, has been transferred to the Seattle territory. The UA sales force is back from the coast convention. The crew spent one day at the San Francisco Fair. The local office force journeyed to Ogden, Utah, 50 miles from here, the Union Pacific terminal, to greet the United Artists delegation returning east after the convention on the special train. Betty Smith of the exchange has been replaced by Betty Peterson. A gift was presented to Miss Smith at a farewell party. FWC Opens Remodeled Fresno Wilson Theatre Fresno, Cal. — The Wilson Theatre, Fox West Coast house, has been reopened, completely reconditioned at a cost of $55,000. Opening festivities were attended by Arch M. Bowles, northern California district manager for the circuit, and other FWC executives from San Francisco. Mrs. Esther Wallerstein Los Angeles — Funeral services were held at the mausoleum of the Home of Peace Cemetery for Mrs. Esther Wallerstein, 65, former star of the Jewish stage and mother of Ben Wallerstein, Warner theatre executive, following her death of a heart attack. Burial was at the same cemetery. 38 BOXOFFICE :: May 20, 1939