Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1939)

Miles Reproducer Target In an Injunctive Suit New York — Film Recording Corp. has filed a federal court action for an injunction, accounting of profits and damages against Miles Reproducer Company, Jacob and Hattie Kulick, and Samuel Beinbaum, claiming infringement of patents for “improvements in sound recording and reproducing whereby sound is recorded on celluloid films by means of a stylus.” The patent was issued in 1926 and the infringement is allegedly through selling machines embodying the inventions. "Few Minor Adjustments" By Cooper, Paramount New York — There is no radical departure from the deal consummated in 1924 between Paramount and the Joseph H. Cooper interests in Oklahoma, Colorado and Nebraska, Austin C. Keough, Paramount head counsel, informs Boxoffice. “There are a few minor adjustments among ourselves; that’s all there is to it,” Keough said. He declared the deal, providing for both interests to own 50 per cent of the stock, was made permanent in 1924. Bashlow Action Against Pathe Film Dismissed New York — Supreme Court Justice Samuel I. Rosenman has dismissed the stockholder action of Anna Bashlow against Pathe Film Corp. and its officers and directors, in which she claimed mismanagement and sought to inspect the books and records of the company. The judge also denied applications by 10 other stockholders holding 1,820 shares of stock, who desired to join in the action. 3 Books of Wide Appeal For Towne and Baker New York — Three books of wide appeal are among the four Gene Towne and Graham Baker will dramatize as an independent producer for RKO, according to George J. Schaefer. They are “Swiss Family Robinson,” “The Deerslayer,” “Tom Brown’s School Days” and “African Intrigue.” Columbia Camera Crew Shooting N . Y. Fair New York — Columbia has a camera crew taking unusual shots at the World’s Fair for a one-reel short. It will be a companion reel to the recently completed “Man-Made Island” which pictures the San Francisco World’s Fair. Set lor Foreigns New York — Transatlantic Films has been formed to distribute foreign films. Eugene Scharin, formerly with 20th Century-Fox and RKO in Europe, is its head. Among early releases are “Birocco,” “White Slave Girl,” “Conflict” and “Girlhood.” A 111 B JjRNIE WOLF is refurbishing the Avalon in Lowville, 25 miles from Watertown. Job includes insulating the theatre, redecorating in and outside, installing new seats, and placing new drapes . . . Joe Sternberg has changed the name of his Boonville theatre from the Avon to Franjo. a combination of his wife’s and his name. Incidentally, Sternberg is a big boy in Boonville, to wit: Town president . . . Christopher H. Buckley, former leading Albany theatre operator and present owner of two houses in Bennington, Vt., is receiving condolences on the death here of his brother, James. Filmrow visitors included: The Schenectady trio, Johnny Gardner of the Colony and American; Al Feltman, Lincoln; Morris Silverman, Mount Pleasant; Alan Sirine, Empire, Port Henry; Mrs. Inez Ferguson, Copake, Copake; Mr. and Mrs. Phil Straus, Pine Plains; Mr. and Mrs. Lou Bucken, Amenia; Charles Gordon, Olympic, Utica; Harry Savett, Utica and other points in that area; Henry Frieder and Henry Grossman, Warren and Community, Hudson (their Star closed until fall) ; Ollie Mallory, Starr, Corinth; George Thornton, Saugertie. Florence Thompson, chief accountant in the Schine office at Gloversville, returned from a vacation in Virginia . . . Other Schiners are studying maps, travel folders and resort booklets, as the vacation schedule takes form . . . Bill Kelly, manager of Schine’s Rialto in Amsterdam, is back on the job after an illness . . . Pearl McGee, 20th Century-Fox biller, will be a June bride. She will be “arrested” for life by George J. Merges jr., Albany police officer . . . Ceremony will take place in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on the sixth . . . George Jeffrey, Universal salesman, weekended in Boston . . . Pete Bournakis is closing the Strand, 800seater in Watertown, for the summer. May 29 is the scheduled date. His Liberty, a Monogram Six Top Films For Percentage Pacts New York — Monogram’s six top bracket pictures which are to be sold on percentage for 1939-40 are “Rip Van Winkle,” “Son of the Navy.” “Queen of the Yukon,” “His Father’s Son,” “Oliver Twist” and “Under Northern Lights.” Percentages will vary in given territories and with individual accounts. Ban " Blockade " New York — Following runs at leading theatres in San Salvador, capitol of El Salvador, the government has banned “Blockade” from further showings in that country on “anti-social” grounds. Industry Members Respond New York — Loew’s has contributed $10,000 to the Greater New York Fund, National Screen, $1,500; Consolidated Amusements, $250. smaller house, remains open. Schine circuit shuttered the Palace, its last run theatre in Watertown, but the Avon, circuit’s A, and the Olympic, B stand in Watertown, will continue to operate during the warm months. The Victoria, managed by Graham and Ludlow, also is open for business. General conditions in Watertown, city of 33,000 population, are said to be unfavorable. The Hippodrome in Little Falls is another house dark for the summer. Theatre will be remodeled, according to Filmrow reports . . . F. H. Ballard, who operated on concession the auditorium theatre in Thousand Island Park, will not run it this year. Not known yet on Filmrow who will take over. The house usually unshutters in June . . . The Adirondack in Speculator, is opening for the summer. R. A. Gallup is operator. About four changes in bill weekly . . . Charlie Wilson will close the Lansing in North Troy on May 29, but will keep the Bijou, his pride and joy, open. The Bijou is one of the newest and finest smaller theatres in this area. “A little Palace” is the description of an exchangeman, the comparison of course being with Fabian’s 3,800 -seater in Albany. Weldon Waters is the new Paramount salesman introduced by Manager Clayton Eastman. Formerly attached to Cleveland office. M. A. Grassgreen, 20th Century-Fox manager, was in the field, visiting Gloversville, Oneida and Utica. George Lofink and Grand, respectively, involving legislators. Lofink arranged for a team of five Democrats to meet five Republican Assemblymen on the Wednesday night Spelling Bee broadcast from the Palace over WABY. One hundred lawmakers, guests of the management, occupied front seats to cheer, boo and wisecrack at the contestants. Local papers ran stories and photos on the match, naming the theatre; the Associated Press also put a dispatch on its wires. Helped to hold up business on eighth day of “Union Pacific.” Cowen splashed for several days by having Assemblyman Fred Moritt on one Amateur Night, when he won both the stage and radio prize, by singing. And on the finale of the season’s series — before a turnaway house as master of ceremonies. Assemblyman Irwin Davidson appeared, too. Ernie Dodds of the Palace, Lake Placid, was on Filmrow for the first time in some months . . . Bill Kraemer, Schine booker, reached in RKO branch and genial though busy. Covered the exchanges on a two-day trip from Gloversville. Frank Williams, Benton booker, also on the Alley . . . Fabian setup in Schenectady since the transfer of Joe Shure to the Albany divisional office as booker is: Sol Ulman, city manager; Dick Murphy, house manager at Proctor’s; Guy Graves, manager of the State, with Phil Rapp moved from the Strand to Graves’ former post at the Plaza, Lou Rosenfeld shifted from assistant manager of the State to manager of the Strand, and Lou Rapp (brother of Phil) advanced from chief of service to assistant manager at the State. BOXOFFICE :: May 27, 1939 22-G