Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1939)

J)AVE SCHRIEBEB, Universal shipper and brother of Universal bowling ace, Frank Schrieber, is passing the cigars. It’s a baby girl. Approximately 50 theatres in the coal mining districts of W. Va., and Kentucky are scheduled to gradually reopen, following a settlement of the strike. While several towns have not signed at this writing, including Gary, W. Va., where 5,000 miners are still out, and Harlan, Ky., the feeling is general that the worst is over. It is freely predicted in exchanges that business during the next year will boom in the coal mining areas. Phil Semelroth sr„ Semelroth circuit, Dayton, has suffered a relapse of his recent illness and has been removed to the hospital. Semelroth has been in ill health following an automobile accident some months ago. One of the veterans of the exhibitor field, Uncle Bob Wilson, visited the Row this week. He will operate the new theatre being erected in Miami, W. Va., and which is scheduled to open June 1 . . . Other visitors seen shaking hands were Max Max of Bluefield; Orville Woods, Camden; Fred May jr., Royal Theatre, Carroltown and Mr. and Mrs. Miles, Eminence. Lee Goldberg of Big Features, left for New York City. Goldberg announced Big Features closed “Mutiny on the Elsinore,” with Paul Lukas, the same being booked over Loew’s, Warner and RKO circuits. Twentieth-Fox’s J. J. Grady, is chairman for Queen City Variety Club’s annual golf tournament, plans for which are already underway. Allen Moritz, Columbia, announces proceeds from the dinner dance for charity were very satisfactory . Harris Dudelson, United Artists branch manager, announces the local boys lead the country in sales. Dudelson and the UA sales gang returned from the coast full of enthusiasm and rarin’ to go. Harry West is Bill Onie’s new Kentucky representative for Monogram. Onie reveals 1939-40 announcement books and date books have been mailed to the trade . . . Columbia’s salesmen are carrying their own preview trailers, to be shown with the sales talk. J. H. Davidson, Lynchberg, will operate the Avon Theatre, at New Vienna. Will Kerr is visiting the Row . . . Salley Shearer, RKO personnel, is back at her desk following an appendectomy . . . Marvin McNamee is new booker at Grand National, replacing Sam Oshrey who moved over to book for Warner. Mrs. Willis Vance, wife of the owner of the Eden and the Ohio, Cincinnati houses, is convalescing after an appendectomy. No Ashland Change Cincinnati — Denial of reports that he will take over the Capitol Theatre at Ashland, Ky., is issued by Maurice White of the Boyd circuit here. The Capitol is operated by Dick Martin. At the RKO Lounge — Samuel A. Lee of the Capitol at Frankfort, Ky., scans the advance stills of RKO's forthcoming “Five Came Back’’ with Hostess Ruth Halprin in the New York World's Fair RKO exhibitor lounge room. Postpone Hearing of Film Rental Suit Columbus, Ohio — At the eleventh hour an extension of time was granted in the taxpayer’s suit against the Ohio tax commission on the right to exempt film rentals from payment of the three per cent sales tax. When the suit was first filed several weeks ago the plaintiff secured a writ of mandamus, answerable May 20. William J. Ford of the attorney general’s legal staff explained the move, “inasmuch as there has been a reorganization of the commission we thought it best to continue the suit until all concerned had an opportunity to study the technical questions involved.” Such extensions are considered more or less conventional legal tactics. In a surprise move, however, the defense also asked for postponement of the second suit, covering alleged violations of the use tax, which was to be answered June 3. Judge Hornbeck, Franklin county court of appeals, approved the requests, extending the writ until June 15 on both. Plaintiff Attorney W. S. Cowan agreed to the ruling of the bench. Cleveland Exchange Local Slates Dance for June 2 Cleveland — Film Exchange Employes Local B-5 will hold its annual benefit dance at Moose Hall, 2536 Euclid Ave., June 2. Charles Rice, 20th-Fox shipper, is chairman of the committee in charge of arrangements. At the last meeting of the group, Pearl Geib of Warner Bros, was named delegate to the IATSE district convention at the Mayflower Hotel, Akron, June 4-5-6. The district is composed of Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Detroit and Cleveland. THE Theatrical Softball League got under way when RKO trimmed Loew’s 15-8. Batteries were Caplane and Boehm for the winners, Kennedy and Paul for the losers. J. Real Neth, local chain operator, has returned to his desk after four months on the sick list. His troubles started with a fall on the icy pavements during Christmas holidays . . . Local RKO employes held their annual party at Publicist Johnny Barcroft’s studio. Their boss, C. Harry Schreiber, and the Mrs. leave Sunday for a three-week auto trip to the west coast. Les Irwin, former Paramount booker here, has been upped to a salesman’s post in the Toledo territory. Col. H. A. Cole, national Allied president, was in town for a special ITO directors’ session, and thought so much of the Deshler bar that he almost missed his train to Detroit . . . The Ohio offered a prelude to the June bride epidemic in a timely specialty number by Organist Roger Garrett, assisted by two local gals, one a model from a feminine apparel shop, the other a singer. The Variety Club had a dinner party Thursday. Walter Miles of the state censor board showed motion pictures of the cmb’s various charitable activities. About 75 barkers with guests attended. A dance followed . . . Joe Carr, president of the National Pro Football League, died Saturday. He was well known in theatrical circles. Peaceful settlement of “financial” difficulties between local “numbers” operators and the city administration has stopped talk of a nuisance tax to help balance the budget. Passage of Senate Bill 40, a special relief measure, has ended any immediate possibility of additional admission taxes. Dave Bines, RKO stage director of Cleveland, was a local visitor Friday. His frequent trips here have added authenticity to rumors of a permanent vaudeville policy for the Palace. Benny Goodman’s showing last week at the house didn’t draw as well as expected. But Iris new singing sensation lovely Louise Tobin, really stopped every show cold. PERMANENT construction that means lowest upkeep cost at a surprisingly low first cost. Write for details THE F&Y BUILDING SERVICE 328 E. Town — Columbus, O. BOXOFFICE :: May 27, 1939 91