Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1939)

Vaude Fading From Michigan Houses Detroit — Vaudeville is all but disappearing from Michigan theatres, a survey indicates. When the Fox here bows out bigname shows on June 1, only three houses of the Cassidy circuit will be left in this state playing vaudeville, the Frolic at Midland, the Strand at Alma, and the Michigan at Saginaw. Latest to stop flesh are the Rialto at Flint, Wyandotte at Wyandotte, Broadway at Mount Pleasant, and the Annex and Colonial here. All are expected to return to stage show policies in the fall. An extension of vaudeville is planned by United Detroit Theatres for the Annex, from one to three days a week, Booker Sol Berns reports. In addition, the circuit also plans to put stage shows in the Regent and Ramona in the fall, Berns said. Madison at Manstield to Resume Cash Awards Mansfield, Ohio — Preparations are under way here by the Madison Theatre to resume its cash award project which it abandoned a month ago in the face of opposition from city officials, who threatened to arrest theatre executives distributing cash awards. A “trailer” in the theatre has announced the resumption of the project, but set no date. Mansfield officials of the Warner Bros, company, co-operator of the theatre with William N. Skirball, Cleveland said they knew nothing of the plan to resume and referred all questions to Skirball, lessee of the theatre and partner with Warner in its operation. “Its Skirball’s problem and all statements must come from him,” said Nat Wolfe, Cleveland zone manager when queried about the plan. It was reliably reported here that Skirball had agreed to assume full responsibility for the undertaking. Skirball Will Build a Deluxer in Massilon Cleveland — William N. Skirball, who has extensive theatre interests in Ohio and Kentucky, today announced that he has completed negotiations for the construction of a new theatre in Massilon, Ohio. The new house, Skirball states, will have 1,000 seats and will be de luxe in its entirety. Plans for the building are now being prepared by John Eberson, New York architect, and work will be started as soon as possible. Location of the theatre will be on Lincoln Highway on the site of a hotel which was recently destroyed by fire. Skirball owns and operates motion picture theatres in Toledo, Bryan, Mansfield and Akron in northern Ohio; the Barry Theatre in Pittsburgh, and is interested in the chain of houses in southern Ohio and Kentucky operated by the Elleness Amusement Co., Inc. Arthur Levy Now Heads Pitt Bowling League Pittsburgh — Arthur H. Levy, Columbia Pictures’ manager, was unanimously elected president of the Filmrow Bowling League for the 1939-40 season at the eighth annual banquet of the league staged last Saturday evening at the Carlisle Club. He succeeds Bob Klingensmith, Boxoffice representative, who had presided for two seasons. Highlights of the evening, following the banquet, was the awarding of prize money totaling $130, and the distribution of special prizes. Lucky was played through the courtesy of Art and Mort England, distributors of the game. Special prizes were donated by Dave Kimelman, Dave Rosenfeld, Frank Panoplos, John J. Maloney, Jules Lapidus, Jake Soltz, Burtus Bishop jr.. Max Shulgold, A1 Weiss, Ira H. Cohn. Jim Alexander, Herb Lipman, George C. Davis, Mark Goldman, Jack Judd, William R. Wheat jr., Harry Seed, Bart Dattola, Robert F. Klingensmith, Art England, Fred J. Herrington, M. A. Rosenberg. Art Morrone and Art Levy. Favors distributed to each member of the league were pocket lighters. Re-elected to the posts of secretary and treasurer were Joseph Pemberton and Peter Quiter, respectively. The league withheld signing a new lease with the New Club Alleys and likely will seek another recreation parlor for next season's games. Season’s record was published in this paper May 13. Cooperative Booking Has Davis for New Member Cincinnati — L. O. Davis, Virginia Amusement Co., has signed up with the newly organized Cooperative booking combine, said to give the service to 31 theatres in the territory. Towns who have signed up include Ironton, Minister, Mt. Sterling, Wapakoneta, St. Mary’s, Greenville, Norwood, Zenia, Ohio; Moorehead, Irvine, Somerset, Georgetown, Versailles, Hazard, Neon, Garrat and Mullins, Ky.; and Aurora, Ind. Daylight Saving Measure Faces Cleveland Trade Cleveland — A bill advocating daylight saving time has been introduced in the Cleveland council. Local exhibitors unanimously are opposed to the bill and are making every effort to defeat it. G. W. Erdmann, secretary of the Cleveland Motion Picture Exhibitors Ass’n, in a recent bulletin, urges all theatre owners to see their councilmen and urge them to defeat the bill at the public hearing called for Thursday, May 25. Hickman Manages Union In New Philadelphia New Philadelphia, Ohio — Ray C. Hickman of New York, traveling representative for Shea Enterprises for several years, has been named manager of the Union Theatre here. Hickman fills the vacancy left by the death of Lester W. Hutcheon. In addition to managing the Union, Hickman will supervise construction of the new Shea theatre to be built here. Paul Weltin will continue as assistant manager of the Union. Detroit Price War Ends in a Draw Detroit — Detroit’s little price war at the Times Square Theatre apparently ended in a draw, with the Times Square going back to a 10-cent admission policy four days a week and 15 cents for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, according to Ray Moon, head of Mutual Theatres, which books for the house. Prices were reduced a couple of days to a dime by the Loop Theatre, opposition house across the street, but this policy was speedily dropped. Joseph Bruzy, manager of the Times Square, went to a 10cent policy for the entire week when the Loop announced the drop. Some difficulty was experienced in getting film when the 10-cent policy was announced, it is understood. Better class product is generally being dated for the 15-cent days under the present plan. 1TO of Ohio Course on Neely Set Says Wood Columbus — The Ohio ITO emphatically denies a statement published in a trade paper under a Columbus dateline quoting Col. H. A. Cole, national Allied president, to the effect that “a solution on controversial issues of the Neely Bill can be reached at the Allied convention in Minneapolis.” According to the story, the ITO had been notified to this effect. When questioned regarding the matter, P. J. Wood, ITO secretary and a director of national Allied, pointed out that Colonel Cole was not expected in Columbus until later. He said too: “No controversy whatsoever exists regarding the Neely Bill, and national Allied’s position with respect thereto remains the same as it was last January when its board of directors agreed unanimously to support it.” Paramount Promotions Made in Cleveland Cleveland — “Duke” Clark, Paramount branch manager, has announced a series of promotions from within the ranks. Lester Irwin, who was booking manager of the Paramount office in Columbus prior to the merging of the Cleveland and Columbus offices and who became a member of the Cleveland booking staff, has been elevated to the sales department. He will cover the Toledo territory where he succeeds Weldon Waters, transferred to the Albany Paramount office. Louis Van Baalen steps up from cashier to booker and Donald Clark becomes cashier. Members of the office force gave a farewell dinner party to Weldon Waters at Monaco’s. Bohn to Remodel Detroit — George Bohn is planning to remodel the front of his Bohn at Albion, Mich. 62 BOXOFFICE :: May 20, 1939