Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1939)

Schaefer Sees Small Television Threat New York — “The present outlook of a television threat to the motion picture theatres seems very small,” George J. Schaefer has informed Allied of New Jersey. The exhibitor organization protested to the RKO president for allowing a condensed version of “Gunga Din” to be made available to NBC for television broadcasts on the ground that this constituted a new form of theatre competition. Replying to Allied, Schaefer declares RKO is “fully conscious of our responsibility to our exhibitors. We are naturally interested, just as you are, in the progress of television and in the effect which it will have upon the entertainment field.” He explains the film in question was used recently in Los Angeles for television tests as an experiment with a new medium of exploitation for feature product and future showings, along with others of one and two reel length, will be confined to television exhibition at the New York World’s Pair. “Because of the fact there are so few home sets in use,” Schaefer points out, “that regular telecasting is confined in this area to two hours a week and that many technical problems remain yet to be solved before there is any possibility of chain telecasting, we do not feel apprehensive at the present time of encroachment by television on the motion picture theatre.” Schaefer observes “the interest of the exhibitors is our own interest and our efforts to understand and keep abreast of developments in the field of television are toward the end of protecting and coordinating our joint interests.” 24 to 30 Big Pictures by RKO Forthcoming Season New York — On the eve of the company’s convention, it is reported George J. Schaefer, RKO president, will tell delegates between 24 and 30 big pictures will be made this coming season, resulting from deals he lined up during his extended coast visits. Five Promotions in RKO Field Staif Revisions New York — Five promotions in RKO’s field staff, occasioned by revisions in the sales force, have been effected. S. S. McFadden, office manager at Portland, has been made a salesman in the same branch, succeeding B. R. Keller, resigned. L. L. Goldsmith, office manager at Seattle, advances to salesman in the same office, succeeding Jack Nelson, resigned. Thornton C. Cox, formerly booker in Atlanta, is promoted to salesman in New Orleans, succeeding J. S. Carscallen, resigned. Edwin C. Stengel, formerly student salesman in Chicago, is a regular salesman in Minneapolis, replacing J. E. Rosen, resigned. John Wangberg, former office manager in Kansas City, becomes home office representative to fill the vacancy occasioned Grinieff Signs Sutherland While on Visit to Coast New York — Jacques Grinieff, partner of Boris Morris in the new producing company which will produce a Laurel and Hardy comedy for RKO release, has returned from the coast. He says Eddie Sutherland has been selected as director and that shooting starts early in July. Grinieff is the French film executive who brought over “Grand Illusion.” by the transfer of Ray O’Brien to Chicago office manager. Other changes include the promotion of P. C. Vaughn jr„ formerly ad sales manager in Atlanta, to booker at the same exchange; Leon A. Herman joins the Albany sales staff, succeeding William Benson; Leon Abrams joins the Kansas City staff as office manager; Joe Stern has been added to the staff at Toronto as inspector, replacing Gordon Elliott. Among the Foreign Legionnaires — Three of the RKO foreign contingent here tor the annual convention. Left to right. Ben Camrnack, assistant to Phil Reisman, foreign head; Nat Leibeskind, Argentine manager; Bert Reisman. manager of Peru. The picture shows Leibeskind absorbed in Boxoffice flashes after his two confreres got through with it. They Arrive in Bunches — ■ — Metropolitan Photos When the largest contingent from abroad arrived for the RKO convention, home office executives and Walt Disney representatives gathered at the French Line Pier to greet the incoming Normandie passengers. As you see the men, from left to right, they include: Phil Reisman, in charge of foreign affairs; Reginald Armour, European general manager; Assistant Export Manager Ben Y. Camrnack; B. D. Lion, home office executive; Ralph Hanbury, managing director in the United Kingdom; Gunther Lessing, home office executive for Walt Disney Enterprises ; Roy Disney, brother of the producer and general manager of the Disney company; R. K. Hawkinson, home office executive; Ralph Doyle, Australian managing director; Leon Britton, general manager in the Far East; William Levy, head of the Disney office in Great Britain; W. B. Feignoux, in charge of the French office for Disney; Kay Kamen, head of Kay Kamen Enterprises, American representative for Disney tieups, and Hal Horne, eastern Disney representative. BOXOFFICE :: June 17, 1939 29