Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1939)

family in Detroit and she in Buffalo have been swamped with congratulations on her marriage. Miss Merrill points out that the addition of “Bagley” to her name was a reporter’s mistake and not her idea. Sorry. Mandat Lane, new RKO starlet, who got her first contract last week, is a Detroit girl who has been in Hollyivood for two years. Her real name is Winifred Ostergard. Sol Krim is out of Harper Hospital, recovering from an infected throat . . . Mrs. Katherine LaFond, daughter of Sol Berns, suffered a broken arm and leg in an automobile accident in Grosse Pointe Farms. Cooperative Theatres’ gang touring to New York last week included Carl Buermele, Barney Kilbride, William Kaplan, Lew Wisper, Fred DeLodder sr. and fr., and Charles Komer . . . The Weingarden and Dudelson brothers haven’t switched faces. Our captions got twisted in last week’s Boxoffice under those photos. Lew Wisper, back from New York, promptly fell ill with a cold — reported that changes of climate don’t agree with him . . . Herman A. Bird, of the “Our” at Standish, was a Detroit visitor Monday, with his wife. Jack Davis, formerly booker with the Gus Sun office, has joined the Bryden office here . . . Emil Beck, independent booker, is leaving on a trip upstate this week. Beck, shepherding the Model Railroad Club, is arranging a lake ride on Lake Huron, Sunday, June 4. L. Pringle has taken over the Burton Theatre at Flint from R. Ingram and A. Barnes. Two Theatres Are Likely For Pine Grove , W, Va. Pine Grove, W. Va. — A building here is being remodeled for a theatre for Anthony Varco, Lumberport tavern keeper, who will have the local enterprise ready for opening within a month. Meanwhile, the Charles Anderson and W. B. Urling Alpine Southern Theatres, Inc., plan a theatre for this community which they state will be opened by Labor Day. Shafer Plans One Grayson, Ky. — W. R. Shafer of Irvine, Ky., has leased a building here which he will remodel into a theatre to open around July 1. Lions Will Select a Cuh lor Metro Pittsburgh — One of the features of the Lions International convention, scheduled to open here July 17, will be the selection of a lion cub, under eight months of age, who will be "adopted" by M-G-M as a successor to Leo the Lion. The new Leo jr„ will be used as a trade-mark for M-G-M shorts. Juvenile Restrictions Eased in Committee Harrisburg — Senate committee has amended the act which would prohibit admission of any child under 15 years of age to Sunday shows, and as it now reads would prohibit any child under 12 years of age, unless accompanied by an adult. Tire measure is on the active list. Changes in the Penal Code act (H-389) include the following: Section 658 (now 654), dealing with discrimination on account of race or color and establishing fines of from $100 to $500 or imprisonment from 30 days to 90 days, or both; now establishes $100 fine, upon conviction, and sets no minimum imprisonment but “not more than 90 days,” or both fine and imprisonment. Section 646 (now 643), forbidding employment at theatres to minors under 15 years of age and establishing fines of from $50 to $100 for each offense, imposed upon those having care or custody of such minor; now changed to read, fine not exceeding $100 (thus, no minimum), and with “for each offense” taken out. Sec. 880 (now 878), forbidding presentation of unpublished dramas and musical compositions without consent of authors and with fines of from $10 to $500, or imprisonment not exceeding three months, or both; now eliminates a minimum fine and establishes a fine not exceeding $100, or imprisonment not exceeding three months, or both. Sec. 932 (now 930), establishing fines from $25 to $100 for defacing show bills and all advertising before date of advertised performance; now eliminates the minimum fine and provides for imprisonment for three months. Sec. 933 (now 931), providing for fines of from $5 to $20 for posting advertisements on property of another without written consent of owner or tenant; now establishes such practice as a misdemeanor and establishes a fine of $100, or three months imprisonment, or both. Other sections establish fines of from $25 to $300 for those who advertise an indecent show; prohibit children from eight to 14 years of age from attending theatres during school hours, with fines of $10 for first offense and $25 for subsequent offenses or one day in jail for each dollar of fine and costs imposed; establishing fines of $50 or three months’ imprisonment for ticket scalping or bartering; establishing a fine of $4 or 6 days’ imprisonment for employment on Sunday not authorized by law, etc. This penal code has passed the house and is now in the senate. Brunner act, which brings up-to-date fraudulent methods and artifices to procure operation of automatic machines, thus amending the counterfeit and spurious coins act, and providing penalties, has passed both houses of the legislature and is before the governor for his signature. David P. Reese act to prohibit distribution of printed matter extolling crimes and deeds of violence, and imposing duties upon the district attorneys, has passed the house and is now before the senate (S-942). Many of the liquor acts, including those which pertain to entertainment licenses, have been amended “to death.” Last-minute pressure was being put on measures which would repeal the Sunday show law, and various labor measures were still very much alive at mid-week. Representative Curran’s act (H-831) which would reduce the license-tax on keepers of bowling alleys, was approved by the ways and means committee and had passed first reading in the house. Also up for second reading in the house was the Bretherick act (H-415) to impose a tax on all coin-operated phonographs or machines for reproducing music from records. Powers act, which would impose a license tax on keepers of all pin-ball games, hi-score games, or other games or devices of skill or chance (H-277) was another active measure up for second reading. Recording of any broadcast without the permission and consent of the person or persons broadcasting same would be prohibited under terms of the Voorhees act (H-805) which has passed the house, 201 to 3, and which is before the committee on judiciary general in the senate where the act is known as senate bill No. 1073. John Fisher of Sharon Named to Censor Post Sharon, Pa. — John C. Fisher of Sharon, who was nominated last week for a position on the state board of censors, was formerly a manager for Warner theatres here. He also served in Meadville, Titusville, Ridgway and Youngstown in similar capacities. The appointment was made by Gov. Arthur H. James and Fisher’s name was sent to the senate for confirmation. The nominee is a nephew of former Governor Fisher. The Pennsylvania legislature only recently confirmed Mrs. Edna R. Carroll of Philadelphia as chairman of the censor board. Another member is yet to be appointed. Second Ownership Shift For Meadville Victor Meadville, Pa. — Victor Theatre, which had been operated under new management for several weeks, has changed hands again. This time the house has been acquired by the Meadville Park Theatre Corp., owners of the Park Theatre. The arrangement was made by Dr. H. C. Winslow of the Park Corp. For several weeks the old Victor was operated by the Blatt Bros, circuit. Under the new setup the House will be known as the Penn Theatre. Charles Truran of the Park will manage the former Victor. FOR SALE Theatre Building:, 2804 East 79th St., Cleveland, Ohio; 400 to 450 new or rebuilt chairs; with 2 Simplex machines and sound ready for installation; concrete floor, rest rooms. Bargain— $9,500. Will take back small mortgage. Mayer Silverman, 53-55 Fullerton St., Pittsburgh, Pa. BOXOFFICE :: May 27, 1939 93